Blues face squad call on loaned out winger

POMPEY face being left restricted in the last stages of their player recruitment.

Kenny Jackett is looking to carry out the final reshaping of his squad for the months ahead, with the transfer window closing on October

16.

It was believed the Blues had two available places remaining for players aged over 21, following the introduction of the new wage cap and squad restrictions voted in for League One and League Two clubs.

But they’ve been informed they will have to register Reeco Hackett-Fairchild as part of their 22-man squad, if they want the option of recalling the winger from his loan stay with Bromley.

That would leave them with just one available slot, unless they make further sales before the deadline.

Part of the appeal of sending Hackett-Fairchild to the National League was it gave Pompey flexibility in recalling the winger before January, which is not the case with league clubs.

Now Jackett has to weigh up the best possible way forward for his options, which could mean leaving Hackett-Fairchild out of his squad completely.

He said: ‘If you want to retain the recall, he has to have one of your places.

‘But in terms of the club budget, Bromley are paying his salary. From our point of view, while the the money being paid and contribution is welcome, for us to retain his availability we need to keep him in the 22. So that would leave us with one space.’

Hackett-Fairchild is without a game this weekend as Bromley were due to face wound up Macclesfield.

But the hope his for him to get regular minutes while out on loan. Jackett added: ‘We do feel it’s a move which is going to help him.’

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