Hirst finds his rhythm in play-off campaign

LEICESTER City are pleased with the progress that loanee striker George Hirst is making at Portsmouth, according to his boss on the south coast.

Pompey boss Danny Cowley, who was speaking following a chat with City director of football Jon Rudkin, said Hirst is getting into the groove at the League One play-off chasers.

Hirst, pictured, is spending the campaign with Pompey in a bid to reignite his career following a goalless season with Rotherham in the Championship last season.

After a stuttering start, Hirst got off the mark for Pompey in the EFL Trophy against Crystal Palace in November, then followed that up with his first league goal in English football, from his 47th game – a 3-0 victory over Lincoln.

Since November, Hirst has been a regular in the Portsmouth line-up, his six starts helping the club take 16 points from a possible 18 to spark their play-off push.

They are currently seven points from the play-offs, but with two games in hand.

With the January transfer window now open, there had been suggestions Leicester would recall Hirst, but Pompey manager Cowley has played that down and says he has received positive feedback from City’s director of football.

“We have a really good relationship with Leicester, with Brendan Rodgers and Jon Rudkin,” Cowley said.

“I spoke to Jon last Monday morning and we’re both really pleased with the progress George has made.

“It hasn’t been easy, coming to us on the back of a challenging season at Rotherham where he picked up an injury at the back end of it.

“He was a little bit behind our group in terms of his preparation but he’s remained really focused, worked incredibly hard, and is now getting into a rhythm and getting the rewards that his hard work has deserved.”