Portsmouth boss gives verdict on arranging friendlies with the likes of Brighton, Crawley, Stevenage and Swindon ahead of season resuming

The Blues haven't been in action for five weeks because of the coronavirus crisis.

And while clubs have been told not to train until May 16, EFL chairman Rick Parry has outlined plans for the campaign to be completed within a 56-day period upon its resumption.

That could see Pompey's League One promotion push restart in June, withplayers being put through a mini pre-season programme in preparation.

Arranging friendlies that are ‘reasonably local’ is something Jackett has already earmarked.

For the past two summers, the Blues have played behind-closed-doors games at Premier League Brighton’s training ground.

There were trips to League Two Stevenage during the same period.

Meanwhile, Pompey made the short journey to Crawley in 2017 and last summer, as well as Swindon in July 2019.

A clash with the Hawks, which usually takes places annually at Westleigh Park, could depend on whether National League clubs vote to play their remaining games or not.

But with plenty of other sides in the same situation as the Blues, Jackett believes it won’t be difficult to find opposition.

The boss said: ‘Definitely, we will be looking at friendlies – 100 per cent.

‘Everybody will be looking for them, so they’d be reasonably local.

‘We haven't got too many local (Football League clubs) near but reasonably local is what we'd look for and I’m sure there will be friendlies available.

‘We’ve been down to Brighton for the past couple of years and playered training-ground games.

‘So, yes, we would be looking at friendlies and that will be an important part of it.’