Portsmouth reveal contingency plan should Rasmus Nicolaisen return to FC Midtjylland

It is widely acknowledged that the central defender has been frustrated with the lack of first-team opportunities since arriving from FC Midtjylland.

With the Danish club possessing a recall option, Nicolaisen could conceivably follow fellow loanee Cam Pring in departing Fratton Park this month.

The situation has been ticking down since November, with Catlin expecting to finally learn the fate of the 23-year-old in the ‘next couple of weeks’.

In the meantime, the Blues are sifting through central-defensive alternatives to potentially provide competition to first-choice pair Jack Whatmough and Sean Raggett.

He said: ‘We remain in constant contact with Midtjylland and with Rasmus. We will just have to wait and see.

‘We’re keeping our fingers crossed that Rasmus stays with us beyond January. That is our intention as a club, 100 per cent we want to try to keep him.

‘There is always that danger. Cameron has gone back – and Rasmus could potentially go back to Midtjylland as well.

‘But we sincerely hope that is not the case.

‘Generally we are pretty settled all over the park, but you have to plan to try to improve – and you have to plan to combat players potentially leaving.

‘Whether that be on loan or a short-term contract, you need to have a contingency plan.

‘In every position there are numerous options, whether they are better than what we have is another question.

‘You just don’t know until they come here, but we will keep working hard right until the end of transfer deadline day.’

Nicolaisen has made 10 appearances since arriving at Fratton Park in September on a season-long loan.

That tally is not enough to satisfy a player whose departure from his native Denmark was driven purely by the need for regular first-team football.

He has been joined in the city by his wife and young son, settling into Gunwharf and has spoken highly of his off-the-pitch life.

Pompey’s other loanee, Pring, has now returned to Bristol City following injury problems at left-back.

Similarly, Nicolaisen is on a season-long loan – with his parent club possessing a recall clause at the halfway point.

Catlin added: ‘Rasmus himself has indicated that he really likes it here. He wants to play more, but if these players didn’t then they’re not players who would be very successful.

‘Of course players go out on loan to play – and if they're not they become frustrated, that is the nature of the beast.

‘Speaking to Rasmus, he really likes Portsmouth and loves the club, but like all players wants to play more games.

‘We should find out in the next couple of weeks.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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