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Ronan Curtis: Portsmouth striker's finger saved by surgery after front door accident.

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Portsmouth striker Ronan Curtis has had surgery to save a finger after trapping it in his front door.

The 22-year-old missed Pompey's 3-2 League One win at Walsall on Tuesday following the accident and could be out for up to six weeks.

"It was quite a bad injury, his finger had to be sewn back on after part of it was hanging off," manager Kenny Jackett told BBC Radio Solent.

Curtis has scored 12 goals in 42 appearances for Pompey this season.

He suffered the injury to the third finger on his left hand and is now expected to be withdrawn from the Republic of Ireland squad for their European Championship qualifiers against Gibraltar and Georgia later this month.

But Portsmouth hope a quicker than expected recovery may enable him to be fit for their Checkatrade Trophy final at Wembley against Sunderland on 31 March.

"It will be painful for him with that sort of injury," Jackett said. "The plastic surgeon has done a very good job to help but he will see a specialist on Friday and hopefully he can go from strength to strength.

"We've been in touch with the Republic of Ireland people and told them of the situation."

 

Gareth Evans signs new contract until summer of 2021 !

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Pompey keeper Petar Durin joins Bognor on loan

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The 18-year-old has joined the Bostik League premier division following an injury to Dan Lincoln. He is expected to go straight into the Rocks side for their game against Enfield today. The Blues signed the Croatia under-18 international last summer from Italian Serie A side Atlanta, signing a two-year deal. Durin was given international clearance to turn out for the Pompey Academy side in November.

 

Portsmouth are being linked with a move for Blackburn Rovers 6 foot tall striker Joe Nuttall ahead of next season.

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The 22-year-old former Manchester City youth player has scored three goals in 15 games for Championship side Rovers in 2018-19.

And the Sun are reporting that Pompey are looking at bringing Nuttall to Fratton Park in the summer.

Kenny Jackett's side are still in contention to be competing in the Championship next season. They sit fourth in the table, four points adrift of the automatic promotion spots.

 

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Ronan Curtis is the winner of the Under-21 International Player of the Year #FAIAwards #COYBIG

Ronan Curtis has won the Under-21 International Player of the Year prize at the FAI (Football Association of Ireland) Awards.

The Pompey forward was honoured at the event in Dublin towards the end of a successful season for club and country.

He was called up to the senior Republic of Ireland side for the first time back in September and made his full debut in a draw with Northern Ireland two months later.

Curtis – who is currently sidelined with a finger injury – has netted 12 goals in 40 appearances for the Blues following his summer signing from Derry.

He was also nominated in the International Goal of the Year category for a fine strike against Kosovo, but lost out to Aiden O’Brien.

 

Former Liverpool and Bournemouth coach Sean O’Driscoll in Portsmouth Academy frame.

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The Blues’ youth set-up is presently undergoing a revamp, with Neil Sillett last month employed as head of Academy recruitment.

A vacancy for head of coaching also exists, with O’Driscoll among those interviewed. The 61-year-old possesses an impressive pedigree, establishing a fine reputation in the game for coaching youngsters. In recent years he has served as England under-19 manager, before quitting to become Brendan Rodgers’ assistant at Liverpool in July 2015. O’Driscoll has also served as manager at Doncaster, Crawley, Nottingham Forest, Bristol City and Walsall. However, many on the south coast will associate him with Bournemouth, where he spent six seasons at the helm until departing in 2006. During that period, O’Driscoll oversaw the first-team emergence of a number of talented youngsters, including Eddie Howe and Richard Hughes.

Now the former Republic of Ireland international is in the running for an Academy position with the Blues. Pompey youth boss Mark Kelly said: ‘There is a job available, we have interviewed a few people and Sean was one of those people. ‘There is nothing more to say at present. ‘We are currently looking at the Academy in different ways. There are lots of things going on, lots of planning, we are looking at where we are going, what we are doing.

‘There will be announcements in due course.’

 

We have loaned two academy youngsters to Gosport Borough. Centre half Matt Casey has rejoined them after previously playing 20 matches for them earlier this season, and midfielder Freddie Read who has previously been on loan to Bognor.

 

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Pompey have appointed Sean O’Driscoll as head of coaching and learning for the club’s academy.

The former Bournemouth, Doncaster, Nottingham Forest, Bristol City and Walsall boss will officially take up the post at the start of April.

O’Driscoll also had a spell in charge of England’s under-19 side and was assistant manager at Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers.

Academy manager Mark Kelly said: “Sean is someone with a lot of experience. He has been in management for a long time and brought young players through at various clubs.

“He complements the staff we already have here and brings a nice balance to our academy set-up. There is a team in place here to really push Pompey on.”

O’Driscoll joins several other new academy arrivals at Fratton Park in recent weeks.

Kelly explained: “Neil Sillett has returned to the club as head of academy recruitment. He’ll concentrate on players between the ages of 14 and 18, with a team under him looking at those from under-7 to under-14.

“Vitor Vaz has come in as head of medical services, with Ebun Thomas our new foundation stage phase lead coach and Dominic Howes arriving as an analyst.”

 

Pompey are reportedly battling for Hartlepool youngster Conner Rennison. According to website Teamtalk, the Blues have the 16-year-old on their radar. But Pompey are facing significant competition in the race for Rennison’s signature. The midfielder is not under contract at the Pools and free to leave in the summer. Premier League outfit Newcastle are supposedly keen on the fledgling talent, along with north-east rivals Sunderland and Middlesbrough.

Championship sides Leeds, Bristol City and Hull have also been linked to Rennison, as well as Barnsley. On Hartlepool’s website, Rennison is described as a ‘very forward-thinking and attack-minded midfielder who covers a lot of ground and has impressed since joining the club three years ago.’

Last summer, Pompey recruited Petar Durin and Eoin Teggart to join the Academy for undisclosed fees from Atalanta and Cliftonville, respectively.

 

The Insider: Reported Portsmouth target Ryan Pryce is ready for Football League chance.

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Pompey were linked with a move for defender Ryan Pryce earlier this week. Here Cardiff correspondent Dominic Booth, from Wales Online, gives his views on the 21-year-old.

Ryan Pryce is an attacking, adventurous right-back comfortable on the ball and has the energy to get up and down the flank. And at 21 is a player who can still improve, although he probably needs more competitive minutes under his belt.

Having arrived from Welsh Premier League side The New Saints last summer, Pryce has had to settle for a place in the under-23s. Cardiff are well stocked at right-back so a first-team chance has not arrived for him this season.

He shone during his time with TNS and has done well when playing for the Bluesbirds’ under-23s. Making the step into the Football League would be uncharted territory for the defender, but he is ready to test himself with that kind of step-up in quality.

Pryce’s contract runs out this summer and Cardiff tend to move players on around his age who are not threatening to break into the first team. The full-back fits into that category and a move will probably be best for all concerned. It’s hard to know how he could fare in the Football League being untested at that level. But the ability is certainly there and he has the potential to improve.

Admittedly, under-23s football is not the most competitive level. Yet he has adapted well after playing men's football in the Welsh Premier League. That’s probably why he would ready to play in the EFL. I’d have thought Championship level would be a big leap for Pryce given where he is currently. But you never know.

The chance could come for him anywhere in the Football League. Apparently, both Hull City and Fleetwood are also looking at him.

 

25-YEAR-OLD DEFENDER BEING EYED BY PORTSMOUTH WITH CONTRACT SET TO RUN DOWN.

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League One promotion hopefuls Portsmouth are keen on signing 6' 5" Plymouth defender Ryan Edwards in the summer, according to respected journalist Alan Nixon.

Pompey are currently just two points behind second place Barnsley in League One with a game in hand, and although Sunderland are in pole position to snatch second, the south coast outfit will no doubt fancy their chances in the coming weeks of sneaking into the automatic places.


And they are already planning for next season it would seem, with Argyle central defender Edwards identified as someone who Pompey want to bring into the club as they look to strengthen the ranks ahead of next term.

Edwards has been a regular for Plymouth but is set to see his contract with the club expire come the summer, meaning a move away from Argyle is looking more and more likely.

The 25-year-old has delivered a series of impressive performances since making the move to the south west from Morecambe, where he played over 100 games and was also impressive with his displays.

With Portsmouth chasing Championship football, Fratton Park could prove an attractive move for Edwards, who will no doubt be keen to get his future sorted sooner rather than later in terms of sealing an agreement with a new club.

Solid signing this, and the sort of player who would do well in both League One and the Championship.

Edwards has proved himself an able performer over the last few years and Portsmouth is a bit of a step up for him, but one he will relish.

A good signing and on a free, a no lose signing too for the club.

 

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New Contract For Ben Close !

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Ben Close has extended his Pompey contract until the summer of 2021, with the club holding the option for an additional year.

The 22-year-old midfielder has scored six goals in 39 appearances so far this season, playing a key role in the Blues’ promotion push.

He also started at Wembley last month in the thrilling Checkatrade Trophy final shoot-out victory over Sunderland.

Close said: “I’m delighted to be at the club for another few years and now I can’t wait to kick on.

“You need the manager’s faith and a chance to play football – and he gave me that pretty early on.

“It’s been nice to get a few more goals this season and that’s a part of my game I want to keep improving.

“The progress this club has made in the past few years shows that we’re only moving in one direction.

“Hopefully we can make another step this season and our aim at the moment is to get into the Championship.”

Blues boss Kenny Jackett added: “We’re delighted that Ben has signed a new contract and committed his future to the club.

“It was frustrating for him when he was out of the side because of the form of Ben Thompson earlier in the season, but since then he’s become a key midfielder for us.

“It’s great when a homegrown player establishes himself in the team and I have every confidence that Ben will continue to improve with us going forward.”

Close made his Pompey debut in 2014 and the academy graduate has already amassed 111 appearances for the first team.

 

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Jake Hastie

Portsmouth will have to pay a £300,000 development fee if they are to land Motherwell winger Jake Hastie.

Pompey, alongside side Derby County, Hull City, Millwall and MLS side Atlanta United are all said to be interested in 20-year-old.

However, the Daily Express believes Rangers are the frontrunners after returning to the chase, despite pulling out of a move earlier this month.

Hastie broke into the Motherwell starting 11 in January and has made an eye-catching start with seven goals in just 13 matches.

 

Former Portsmouth striker Nicke Kabamba announces Havant & Waterlooville departure.

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Nicke Kabamba has announced his Hawks departure.

The former Pompey striker won’t be returning to Westleigh Park next season.

Kabamba was signed by Lee Bradbury last summer following his release from Fratton Park.

The 26-year-old penned a one-year deal as the Hawks prepared for their maiden season in the National League.


However, the ex-Hampton & Richmond marksman endured a difficult period, scoring five goals in 29 appearances.

Kabamba was loaned to National League rivals Hartlepool in January and hit form.

He netted nine times in 17 appearances, helping Pool to a 17th-place finish.

Following the Hawks’ relegation from the fifth tier of English football, Kabamba wrote on Twitter that his time at the club has come to a close.

He said: ‘Just want to thank everyone at @HWFCOfficial for my time there earlier this season. All the best for next year.’

The Hawks are set to announce their new manager in the next few days after parting company with Bradbury last week.

 

Promising Portsmouth trio offered third-year scholarship terms

Joe Hancott, Bradley Lethbridge, both 18, and Leon Maloney, 17, are set to sign new one-year deals at Fratton Park.

It’s reward for their consistency during their two years playing for the Blues’ Academy.

All three have made their first-team debuts under Kenny Jackett.

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Joe Hancott became the club’s youngest player aged 16 years and 161 days in Pompey’s 3-1 Checkatrade Trophy victory over Fulham under-21s in August 2017.

After battling back from a broken foot at the start of this campaign, the Isle of Wight born defender has been a regular in Mark Kelly’s side.

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Bradley Lethbridge, meanwhile, made two starts during the Blues’ run to Checkatrade Trophy glory this season, coming against Arsenal under-21s and Southend.

The Gosport born striker spent the majority of the campaign on loan at Bognor, scoring 12 goals in 38 appearances.

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Leon Maloney also came off the bench in the 2-0 third-round Checkatrade Trophy win at Southend.

The Isle of Wight born forward netted 26 times for the Academy this term, while he’s spent the past few weeks at Nyewood Lane, with Bognor.


The trio will remain under Kelly’s wing for the 2019-20 season during a transitional period. The Blues’ youth boss said: ‘They’re on third-year scholarships which is a transitional year. It means they stay under the Academy’s control and we take them through that transitional year'.

‘The nice thing about third-year scholarships is we can get them out on work-experience loans and can call them straight back for Checkatrade Trophy and under-23s games. When they’re young pros then you get a problem so that's how we manage it. We’re happy with that because they stay under our wing during the transitional time because they’re not going to jump into the first team straight away. The three of them have been consistent over the year. Joe Hancott broke his foot at the beginning of the season but has been very consistent since coming back'.

‘Leon Maloney has scored 26 goals. He’s quick and has raw attributes but now has got to develop into his body.

‘Bradley Lethbridge has things he has to develop – mentally and physically.

‘Everyone looks at him and thinks he’s a big boy but has a lot of growth in a lot of areas.

‘But all three have been consistent and it’s the next step for them.’

Meanwhile, Joe Dandy and Josh Flint will return to Pompey for pre-season in the summer as the final phase of their rehabilitation before departing.

Both have been out with long-term injuries.

And it means the end of Freddie Read, Oscar Johnston and James Whiting’s Fratton Park journeys.

Read made two appearances in the Checkatrade Trophy against Arsenal under-21s and Southend.

Johnston was named on the bench against the Gunners, while Whiting skippered the young Blues on several occasions.

 

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I have just read that Tom Eaves of Gillingham is leaving on a free transfer at the end of the season. 27 years of age, 6' 5" in height. Would like to see Pompey sign him in preference to Omar Bogle of Cardiff, whose wage demands will probably be beyond us ! Would be great competition for Oli Hawkins. He has scored 38 goals in 84 matches for the Gills in two seasons playing for them.

 

Transfer Gossip: Portsmouth keen on Coventry City centre-back Jordan Willis

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Jordan Willis, right, with former Pompey striker Conor Chaplin.


Pompey are reportedly showing an interest in Coventry defender Jordan Willis.

That’s according to Coventry Live, who claim the centre-back is set to leave the Sky Blues on a free transfer this summer.

However, it’s been stated Kenny Jackett will have to overcome several obstacles if he is to bring the Coventry Academy graduate to Fratton Park.

But with the Blues’ having to go through the play-offs to guarantee promotion to the second tier of English football, they could ultimately miss out.

There’s also the small matter of the other clubs apparently interested in acquiring Willis’ services.

According to Coventry Live, newly-promoted Luton are favourites to pick him up on a free transfer.

It is believed the 24-year-old is keen to test himself in the Championship, after making more than 200 appearances for the League One outfit.

Meanwhile, Sheffield Wednesday, Bristol City, Hull and Derby have also been linked with the 5' 11" tall centre-half.