The new dimension Kenny Jackett believes Spurs' Harvey White will bring to Portsmouth promotion push

The 19-year-old today joined on loan from Spurs until the season’s end and goes straight into Pompey’s squad against AFC Wimbledon tomorrow night (7pm).

Jackett is convinced the left-footed holding midfielder can bring ‘balance’ to a Blues side which currently occupies third spot in League One.

White will compete with current incumbents and right-footed pair Tom Naylor and Andy Cannon, along with Ben Close, for a first-team place.

He arrives on the day Bryn Morris departed for Northampton on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

And with 26 matches remaining, Jackett believes Morris strengthens his playing options.

Pompey’s boss told The News: ‘Harvey has a good range of passing, is left footed, and I do see him complementing the midfield players and strengthening that area.

‘He’s also very good at delivering set-pieces and we do feel has a good all-round game. He has really come on strongly for Spurs’ first-team of late, as well as their under-23s.

‘Spurs were keen for him to go out. It's quite a short (transfer) window and, looking at the fixtures coming up, we have an intense period of games.

‘We can’t just have Tom Naylor and Andy Cannon for the remainder of the season, it’s just not the case, even though they are the ones in possession of the shirts at present.

‘You do need a squad. We are okay for injuries at the moment, we haven’t had many problems with covid in the last couple of weeks, and we haven’t had any suspensions.

‘However, we do need a squad should those things happen to give ourselves the best chance of trying to get promoted this season.

‘Harvey is definitely different to Tom and Andy. Being left sided, it does give us quite a bit of balance in terms of our midfield.’

White’s encouraging progress has seen him appear twice for Spurs this season.

He completed the full 90 minutes of their 5-0 victory at Marine in the FA Cup third round earlier this month.

There was also an eight-minute outing off the bench in their 4-0 win over Ludogorets in the Europa League in November.

Now Jose Mourinho sees Pompey as an opportunity for the highly-regarded youngster to develop further.

Jackett added: ‘We have watched Spurs’ under-23s games this season.

‘When their players become available, obviously we make enquiries as to whether the timing is right for them to come out on loan to help their development – and us in our promotion push.

‘Harvey will now be working hard to get into the team and hold his place.

‘Harvey only came in this morning, it’s early days for him, and we are delighted to have a player who I consider to be a very, very good footballer.’

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