Portsmouth are set to allow defender Matt Casey to join Havant and Waterlooville on loan, as reported by the Portsmouth News.
The centre-back is well down the pecking order at Fratton Park and will be allowed to join the Hawks in time for their FA Cup second qualifying round tie against Taunton Town on Saturday.
Casey is a homegrown defender who has emerged from the youth set-up under Kenny Jackett. He played a handful of matches as they won the EFL Trophy last season, against Arsenal U21s, Southend and Peterborough, but hasn’t looked likely to break into the first team.
He’s no stranger to loan spells, having been with Gosport, Weymouth and Basingstoke in the past. He signed his first professional contract this summer, but that’s due to expire at the end of the season.
The club do hold a one-year option, leaving him scope to secure more time at Fratton Park if he has an impressive loan.
Our View
Matt Casey isn’t likely to play for the Pompey first team, but the fact he’s been loaned out is encouraging. They must want him to get more senior football and with that, he’ll grow as a player.
Many senior professionals get their first football in the non-league scene and it’s now up to the 19-year-old to prove his worth to Kenny Jackett by making himself a key player for the Hawks.
if he does that, perhaps they’ll take up that option on his contract and begin to see the rewards of their youth investment.
