Portsmouth CEO's heartfelt message following concerns over Jackett's health

The chief executive has thanked those who have shown their support for the Blues manager, as he prepares to undergo a medical procedure on Thursday.

The club yesterday announced the news before Jackett spoke to the press to confirm he’s expecting to be away from front-line managerial duties for a fortnight, for a preventative surgery to remove a mole from his forearm.

Catlin told how he’s been taken aback by the wave of support from Pompey fans and those across the game.

He said: ‘I just want to thank the Pompey community and football generally for their overwhelming messages of support and best wishes for Kenny.

‘I know over recent weeks there’s been a lot of negativity with fans, football generally and specifically with social media.

‘But it was great to be inundated on social media and personally with messages of support. It’s something I haven’t experienced for a long while and says a lot about not just our fans, but fans generally.

‘It’s great to have contact from Kenny’s previous clubs, clubs generally and CEOs and owners from across the game.

‘They’ve been offering words of support and help where required.

‘During this time where there’s not a lot of good news it’s very heartening to see the response. It has restored a lot of my faith.

‘There are people who like to express a controversial opinion, but those voices have been drowned out by the overwhelming wave of support from the good people who’ve come to the fore.’

Catlin reserved praise for the way Jackett’s privacy has been respected and news of his surgery handled ethically.

And he has now called for focus to return to the critical issue of collecting the points to gain promotion, starting at Bristol Rovers tonight.

Catlin added: ‘I’d also like to thank the press, many of whom were aware of the situation and totally respected the club’s and Kenny’s privacy until we were in position to release the news.

‘Now we have a game tonight and have to focus on the task in hand, which is what Kenny wants.

‘So we have to keep focussing on football and the job ahead, although in the back of our minds our thoughts will be with Kenny.’