What now for Portsmouth with Kenny Jackett set to undergo medical procedure

The Blues will be without the presence of their manager at matches or in training sessions from Thursday to allow the 59-year-old a period of rest and recuperation.

That was today confirmed in a statement released by the club at midday.

Jackett is due to speak to local press including The News this afternoon from around 1pm, where he will address the issue.

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The News understands there’s no long-term view being taken at Jackett’s absence, and there is no suggestion of the man who arrived as Paul Cook’s successor in 2017 being replaced.

The Hertfordshire man was present at training today where the players were informed of the news.

The plan is for his assistant Joe Gallen and first-team coach Jake Wigley to oversee affairs from this Thursday.

It’s unclear at this stage at how that leaves first-team operations for tomorrow’s trip to Bristol Rovers, although that is likely to be clarified by the Pompey boss this afternoon.

Jackett has shown himself to be a low-maintenance figure in his time at Fratton Park and has a long-established reputation for being a consummate professional.

That is likely to see him place an emphasis on keeping disruption to a minimum and maintaining normality as far as possible in the wake of today’s news.

Pompey have clarified Jackett intends to maintain a hands-on approach to overseeing first-team affairs in his absence.

That includes speaking to players and staff via video calls before and after games, as well as at half-time. Jackett will be likely to follow games via iFollow as he recuperates.

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