Portsmouth hopeful of securing Lee Brown to new Fratton Park deal

Following Brandon Haunstrup’s exit, Brown is the only out-of-contract member of last season’s squad that the Blues are attempting to keep.

Kenny Jackett is eager to retain his vice-captain, who he views as a regular left-back option for 2020-21 and beyond.

The 29-year-old was among Pompey’s most impressive performers during the unsuccessful play-off two-legged semi-final against Oxford United.

It reflected Brown’s return to full fitness having undergone an Achilles operation in December to resolve an injury issue which had blighted him for 18 months.

Pompey originally held a 12-month option as part of the two-year contract the former Bristol Rovers defender signed in the summer of 2018.

However, that has long since expired, ensuring both parties are effectively now negotiating from scratch.

The Blues are scheduled to return to training on Monday (August 3) ahead of the new season.

And, according to Mark Catlin, talks with Brown are continuing.

Pompey’s chief executive told The News: ‘We continue to speak to Lee – and that's where it is really.

‘Lee is out of contract and free to talk to other clubs. As I always say, he did nothing wrong, he did the right thing and we continue to talk to him.

‘He has a figure in his head, we have a figure in ours.

‘We are just trying to get to somewhere which is acceptable to both parties.’

Pompey’s players will be back at their Roko training base on Monday.

It is approaching four weeks since their play-off elimination on penalties at the Kassam Stadium.

The defeat marked the final appearances of Christian Burgess and Oli Hawkins, while the loan spells of Cameron McGeehan, Steve Seddon, Ross McCrorie and Sean Raggett ended.

That leaves 17 senior players remaining in Jackett’s squad.

Whether Brown will also be among those present at the Copnor Road training ground on Monday will be telling.

The Surrey-based full-back has featured 72 times and scored once since his free transfer arrival from the Memorial Stadium.

A boisterous figure around the dressing room, he was elevated to the role of vice-captain in September to reflect his importance to the squad.

Jackett also handed him the captaincy for the play-off semi-final first leg against Oxford after selecting him at left-back ahead of Steve Seddon.

Brown was dropped for the second leg, yet used off the bench in the second half and later successfully converted a penalty in the shoot-out.

As it stands, the Blues do not possess a senior left-back in their squad.

The sole alternative is youngster Joe Hancott, who is returning from a long-term injury and has been handed a deal until December.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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