Portsmouth turn to former Leeds, Millwall and Reading assistant boss Nigel Gibbs in Kenny Jackett's absence

The club announced on Monday that the manager would take time out out of his normal Fratton Park duties from Thursday for medical reasons.

Jackett has since said he’s been recommended two weeks recovery for a precautionary procedure on one of his forearms.

And during that time his No2, Joe Gallen, will step up to the plate to be assisted by first-team coach Jake Wigley.

However, extra help has also been drafted in in the shape of Jackett’s former Watford team-mate Gibbs.

The duo played together for the Hornets during the 1980s and have since both forged careers in the management and coaching side of the game.

Since retiring from playing in 2002, Gibbs, 55, has enjoyed assistant managerial jobs at Reading, Leeds United, Millwall, Swansea and Reading.

Meanwhile, he also served as assistant head of player development for Spurs, while Jackett was also at Tottenham.

More recently, Gibbs was assistant manager at Belgian side Cercle Brugge, acting as Paul Clement’s No2.

However, that double act was broken up only this month, with the former Derby, Swansea and Reading boss sacked just seven months into his three-year contract.

And that’s allowed Gibbs to answer Pompey’s request for extra help for the coming weeks.

Jackett confirmed: ‘Joe Gallen will be in charge, he’ll be assisted by Jake Wigely and Nigel Gibbs is coming in for a short period.

‘There’ll obviously be the telephone link and video link available to me as well, so I will be using that and I’m really not anticipating being out any length of time or having any problems.’

Jackett is no stranger to calling on respected figures in the game to assist with coaching.

He’s often used Stuart Pearce during his time at Fratton Park.

Meanwhile, last month it was revealed that former Stoke forward Gifton Noel-Williams had linked up with the Blues squad on occasions as a striker coach.

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