Close remains part of plans despite arrival of on-loan Tottenham teen prospect White
KENNY JACKETT has reassured Ben Close that he remains in his plans following a Pompey midfield shake up.
Teenager Harvey White yesterday arrived on loan from Spurs until the season’s end to add to the Blues’ options.
The holding midfielder’s recruitment has hastened Bryn Morris’ departure, with the 24-year-old joining Northampton Town on loan for the rest of the season.
Like Morris, Close has also found himself out of favour, although has remained a constant on the substitutes’ bench.
Nonetheless, the former first-team regular has started just two League One matches this season and totalled 13 outings in all competitions.
However, Jackett is adamant there is still a place for Close.
The Blues’ boss told The News: ‘Not a lot changes for Ben. At the moment he has been substitute on a regular basis.
‘I would anticipate tonight (when Pompey host AFC Wimbledon) that will be exactly the same.
‘Ben’s pushing to get into the team and is well capable of both getting into the side and being able to hold his place when he gets there. He has shown that over the last few years.
‘The form of (Tom)
Naylor and (Andy) Cannon have stopped him, but I always say you can’t be at a club like Pompey and be the only player in your position.
‘There’s going to be competition – and there needs to be.
‘There needs to be cover, there needs to be competition to be successful.’
Close has made 175 appearances and scored 17 goals since making his debut in the 2014-15 campaign.
He was a regular in Pompey’s midfield during Jackett’s opening three years in charge. But
Close was surprisingly omitted from the squad for Pompey’s two-legged League One play-off semifinal against Oxford United in July, which ended in a heartbreaking defeat on penalties.
This term, Naylor and Cannon have established themselves in the Blues’ midfield and are in fine form.
The 24-year-old Close’s most recent outing came during last Tuesday’s 5-1 defeat at Peterborough United in the Papa John’s Trophy.
His Pompey contract expires in the summer, although the club possess an option to extend it by 12 months.