Portsmouth may scrap reserve team proposals amid uncertain financial climate

The News understands the Blues had pencilled in the introduction of an additional group to serve as a buffer between the first-team and Academy.

Although not termed as an under-23 side, it would offer similar benefits, providing more regular action for fringe players, youngsters and triallists.

With the Central League Cup already on the fixture list, Pompey were seeking for the new group to also be granted entry into league competition, albeit not the under-23 format.

Preparations were already underway for the reserve team’s formation, with Michael Poke recruited as goalkeeping coach for the 18s and under-23s.

In addition, promising keeper Duncan Turnbull was last month signed to serve as third choice, with reserve matches earmarked to aid his development.

Although the project remains on the agenda, it is understood Pompey are now weighing up whether it will see fruition next season after all.

The coronavirus situation has impacted massively on football clubs, with the ongoing threat some may be plunged into administration.

Although Pompey possess no such concerns, like many others they are still challenged to reassess future costs during the wait for football to resume.

As a consequence, doubts are increasing whether the time is now right to introduce a reserve side and its associated costs.

In addition to extra staff, the project requires a bigger pool of players, along with transportation and match-day costs.

Certainly there is now an argument for the money to instead be allocated elsewhere to bolster the club during testing times.

Regardless, the concept of a reserve team would offer the likes of Matt Casey and Reeco Hackett-Fairchild the chance of more football to assist their development.

Casey made three first-team appearances last season, but this term has not featured, instead reliant on non-league loan spells for games, most recently Bognor.

Left-winger Hackett-Fairchild arrived from Bromley in January, but has featured just once – a Leasing.com Trophy encounter at Walsall.

The 21-year-old has not been involved in a first-team squad since January, as an unused substitute in the 2-1 success over Scunthorpe in the same competition.

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story on portsmouth.co.uk. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to portsmouth.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit our Subscription page now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.