Portsmouth boss sends strong message to Adam May after joining Boreham Wood on loan

The midfielder has joined the National League side on loan for the remainder of the season.

May endured a difficult spell at Swindon during the first half of the campaign, before returning to Fratton Park ahead of schedule.

He featured 13 times for the League Two leaders, with only five of those appearances coming from the outset.

May's been handed another opportunity to impress, though, with the Wood chasing promotion into the Football League.

The academy graduate's two-year deal at the Blues expires this summer.

Jackett revealed May's chances of winning a new contract could hinge on how he performs at Meadow Park.

The Pompey boss said: ‘It’ll be great for Adam. There has been some frustration in terms of trying to get him out and get him some games.

‘Midfield is quite a competitive area for us and Swindon had a lot midfield players. They changed to a slightly different formation to how they started, going from three midfield players to two.

‘Jerry Yates and Eoin Doyle were doing so well and it obviously clicked for them, so it was hard for Adam to get in for all those reasons.

‘We obviously were looking to get him out again and Boreham Wood is a great club for him to go to.

‘They have a £1m pitch, which everyone says, and are chasing promotion to the Football League.

‘I would suggest it's the nature of football. You’re always playing for a new deal or to still be here.

‘There is always that edge and there has to be. His contract is up and, as a club, we will assess him over the next few months, there’s no doubt about that.

‘We will see how he does. Hopefully he gets a chance to play and prove himself and I’m sure he is capable of doing that.’

May’s had impressive spells in the National League earlier in his career.

During the 2016-17 season he helped Sutton reach the FA Cup fifth round, where they were knocked out by Premier League Arsenal.

In total, May scored three goals in 28 appearances as the Gander Green Lane outfit finished 12th in the table.

Meanwhile, last term, May had two-and-a-half months on loan at Aldershot, with whom he netted three goals in 12 outings.

He caught the eye of Boreham Wood boss Luke Garrard during both periods.

Now Jackett’s hoping May, who’s featured on 30 occasions for Pompey since his debut in April 2015, can get a sustained run of games under his belt.

He will be in the Wood’s squad for their trip to Aldershot today.

Jackett added: ‘Luke Garrard has had Adam on his radar. He saw Adam play at Sutton and Aldershot, both clubs in their league.

‘Adam does need to get out and get playing rather than floating on the fringe here.

‘He’s done that for a little while now and it's been a really frustrating season for Adam that hasn’t got going yet.

‘There are only a few months left in the season.’