Talks are yet to begin over extending Blues contract of impressive centre-back Burgess
POMPEY are still to open contract talks with Christian Burgess.
Despite a new deal being announced for Ronan Curtis at the weekend, manager Kenny Jackett has revealed negotiations are currently not taking place with Burgess.
The Blues have adopted a stance of shelving contract discussions in favour of focusing on climbing the League One table.
That presently affects eight players whose deals expire this summer, including Burgess.
Irish winger Curtis was initially in a similar position, but has now signed a fresh contract until the summer of 2023 – reward for his scintillating recent form.
For Pompey’s popular central defender, however, there has not been a loosening of the policy.
Jackett said: ‘There is nothing cast in stone. We deal with every situation individually.
‘I have said during the course of the season we wanted to get some team spirit, pull people together, concentrate on the football and just work out team dynamics.
‘Contractual situations are very much individual and we will deal with it in that light.
‘We are not talking with Christian at the moment.
Picture: Daniel Chesterton
We are concentrating on (upcoming matches against) Tranmere, Coventry, there are games coming up thick and fast.
‘I have been pleased with Christian, definitely, but it’s not a situation we are looking at right now.’
Burgess marked his 200th Pompey appearance by netting in last weekend’s 2-0 victory over Sunderland.
He has been in exceptional form this season, including scoring in three consecutive Saturday fixtures.
The 28-year-old has insisted he would like to remain at Fratton Park, his home since being recruited from Peterborough United in the summer of 2015.
Jackett added: ‘What you have to do when looking at contractual situations is what was said when you signed? ‘What were the discussions when you signed the last contract? That is why it becomes an individual process.
‘Some you might leave right to the end because that’s where it is.
‘Whereas other ones may just be coming into the building and then you reassess within a year or 18 months because they have broken through into the first team and become a regular.
‘That is where it is with Ronan.’
Eight current Pompey players will be out of contract this summer
– NEIL ALLEN