Why Portsmouth opted to send ex-Charlton winger to non-league despite Hull, Bolton, Colchester and Southend links

The winger completed a temporary return to Bromley until January 3.

Hackett-Fairchild heads back to Hayes Lane, having scored eight goals in 23 games last season which earned him his switch to Fratton Park.

However, he's been well out of favour since arriving on the south coast nine months ago. The 22-year-old has made only a solitary appearance and was not included in a match-day squad before his departure.

Hackett-Fairchild's move to Bromley means he drops back into non-league football, despite being linked with League Two clubs.

Bolton, Southend and Colchester were all reportedly interested, along with League One Hull.

But with a congested period approaching, coupled with the possibility of losing players should they test positive for Covid-19, Jackett feels having the flexibility to recall Hackett-Fairchild suits Pompey.

And the Blues boss insists the National League is a good-enough standard for the ex-Charlton man to get some much-needed minutes under his belt.

Jackett said: ‘The idea is that Reeco gets the game-time he's missed since before Christmas.

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‘It's not his fault, he's had three injuries during that time and we missed a big period through lockdown.

‘For him, his path into the first team will be helped by having a period of playing games.

‘Sending him to League Two would have meant we couldn't get him back until January 1. The National League means we have the potential to bring him back after 28 days, which would be right in the middle of a busy schedule should we need him.

‘The reason (he's not gone to League Two) is that he's available for us and can get some games at a good standard.

‘In League Two, we wouldn't have been able to put a recall clause in. That closes from window to window.

‘It's a balance between the two and, in the end, I opted for him to go to the National League because it's a way of getting him match fit and much-needed games.’

Hackett-Fairchild is currently in limbo when he might make a third debut for Bromley.

With Prime Minister Boris Johnson announcing earlier this week that spectators can’t return to stadia on October 1, National League clubs have expressed concern about starting the 2020-21 season without crowds.

The National League said it is in talks with the government and Football Association over a ‘critical financial support package’ and has not confirmed whether the campaign will begin on October 3 as planned.

Jackett revealed Pompey will keep an eye on the situation before making a decision on whether to recall Hackett-Fairchild.

He added: ‘We completed that loan transfer before Tuesday's announcement. Now we'll have to see how that impacts the National League.

‘There were plans not to start the season until fans can return into stadia.

‘We will assess the situation as we go. There are the football decisions then the wider picture and how Covid affects the industry because it's something we can't double guess.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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