Why Portsmouth aren't considering a full league programme amid reserve-team proposals

The Blues pencilled in having a side playing in the Central League South next season before the coronavirus pandemic.

That would add 12 fixtures to their reserve schedule on top of Central League Cup, Premier League Cup and Hampshire Senior Cup matches they played this season.

However, Pompey won't be setting up a new under-23s group like many other clubs, nor will they compete in a league of a similar nature.

If the Blues do go ahead with the provisional plans, a combination of players on the fringes of Kenny Jackett's side and exciting upcoming prospects from the academy will make up the team.

That will mean senior pros who need the minutes can keep themselves fine-tuned should they be required for first-team action.

But Jackett warned if those on the periphery were also playing frequently, it could lead to an overcrowded treatment room.

Pompey’s boss said: ‘We wouldn't want a reserve league that commits to maybe 30 games a season.

'Then, I think, we would probably pick up more injuries than we should.

‘The right league structure and the right number of games for a reserve side would help for both the first-team squad and the youth side to bridge the gap.

‘We haven’t really got room at Roko to have three groups training every morning.

‘The weather this winter has been that bad that sometimes we've been struggling to get one group out there.

‘Similarly, we can get a games programme that will overlap the two without having to expand too much.’

Jackett also sees a reserve side as a genuine pathway for fledgling talents to bolster their chances of establishing themselves at Pompey.

The boss told how the Blues will be keeping youngsters around who they feel will benefit from the games in the long run.

He added: ‘Having players around where we see it as unnecessarily is not the case.

‘It has to be people who have a realistic chance of taking our first team forward.’