Why Portsmouth's traditional friendly against the Hawks will not take place this summer

However, the Blues will not be making the short trip to Westleigh Park this summer to take on the Hawks as part of their rearranged League One preparations.

Manager Kenny Jackett is still finalising his pre-season plans, with friendly opposition still to be confirmed following the announcement last week that League One will resume on September 12.

Many would naturally have thought that one of those warm-up games would come against Paul Doswell's National League South outfit.

After all, the popular match-up has been a fixture of the Pompey summer calendar for each of the past 15 years – apart from when the game was called off at short notice in 2012 because of a waterlogged pitch.

Yet, it won't be the case this year, with the Hawks' pitch set to be dug up early next week as they begin work to install a 3G pitch.

And even if Westleigh Park had been available, boss Doswell doubts whether the friendly would still have taken place with both Pompey and the non-league side’s pre-season schedule not matching up.

‘The Pompey friendly can’t happen this year because our pitch is being dug up,’ revealed Doswell.

‘Also, more importantly, the dates won’t add up.

‘They’re going to be back on September 12 to start their season.

‘We’re not going to be back in until middle to late August as you only want to do a four-week pre-season.

‘We’ve already been in for three weeks.'

It would have most likely been the case that supporters would not have been allowed to attend the game, with restrictions still in place on entering grounds because of the coronavirus.

But in more positive news, Doswell revealed discussions have taken place with Pompey chief executive Mark Catlin regarding a return of the friendly next pre-season.

The Hawks boss added: ‘We’ve already spoken to Mark Catlin and that will be ready to go next July when football gets back to some normality hopefully.’

Pompey will begin their pre-season training on Monday, August 3.