Portsmouth keen for keeper's loan resumption at Torquay UnitedÂ

The goalkeeper is on loan at the National League South club until January 7, providing a prized opportunity for regular first-team football.

However, Bass' progress has been halted by a knee ligament injury sustained while on playing duty last month.

The youngster had established himself at the Gulls, also retaining his place following the appointment of the experienced Gary Johnson after Gary Owers' dismissal.

According to Jackett, the stopper could face another three weeks on the sidelines.

Regardless, he is keen for the highly-regarded prospect to return to Torquay and maintain first-team involvement in the interests of development.

Pompey's boss said: '˜Getting our younger players out into senior football is a good path for them and something we should keep pursuing.

'˜Alex has a knee ligament injury, with maybe another three weeks to go. He did it while playing for Torquay and had been doing well.

'˜Gary Owers was very complimentary about him and we have watched the games on video, while our goalkeeping coach has been in close contact. Now there has been a change in manager.

'˜I don't know where Gary Johnson will be with Alex when he gets back.

'˜So far the loan there has been very good for him and frustrating with the injury.

'˜The quicker you can get out and into that football pyramid the better and for your club you can see exactly where the player is '“ and that is the case for many of our youngsters.

'˜If we can have three, four or five young players out in senior football and if they can do well at that level, maybe they can step up the ladder.

'˜It's healthy for the club. If they are outstanding at that level we can target the next loan they get as the chance to maybe step up.'

Pompey also have Adam May at Aldershot and Matt Casey at Gosport, while Bradley Lethbridge, Dan Smith and Joe Dandy are all with Bognor.

However, Smith and Casey remain sidelined through injury, with Dandy now also nursing a knee complaint. 

Dandy, who has made three appearances for Jack Pearce's side so far, collected the knock during the Rocks' draw with Margate on Saturday. 

The defender is a second-year scholar and turned out for Pompey in their opening pre-season friendly at Cork City this summer.