Kenny Jackett updates position over Christian Burgess contract after planned Portsmouth talks cancelled

The Pompey boss still sees the long-serving defender as part of his future plans as the clock continues to count down to the close of his existing deal.

The News understands talks were planned with the defender last week, before the Blues found themselves at the heart of the coronavirus narrative within football.

Those discussions never took place with Burgess confirming last week there’s been no further progress, although he’s relaxed about that scenario.

The 28-year-old has offers on the table with his existing agreement coming to a close on June 30, although there’s likely to be an extension of sorts as football grapples with how to deal with the prospect of an extended season.

But Jackett has made it clear that the desire from within Pompey is to extend the defender’s stay at the club he arrived at in 2015 after leaving Peterborough.

He feels that in the current climate it’s inevitable discussions will have to take a back seat, however.

Jackett said: ‘It has (gone on the backburner).

‘For Christian anyway Mark (Catlin) has had conversations with him definitely.

‘It hasn’t gone any further at the moment and that’s exactly where it is.

‘So, no, there’s not anymore planned right now.

‘But that doesn’t change anything. Would we want Christian Burgess to stay? Yes, we would and I would as a manager.

‘There’s a place for him here if he wants it. There’s no doubt about that.

‘As I said, we’ve had discussions but it’s no further than that at the moment.’

Jackett’s position on being keen to offered Burgess a new deal has been cemented in a campaign where he’s been one of Pompey’s most impressive and consistent performers.

That’s put him firmly in contention for player of the season honours as and when the campaign reaches a conclusion.

Burgess’ progress is testament to the resolve he’s shown to keep himself in the first-team picture when he’s looked set to be frozen out on a number of occasions.

Jackett added: ‘Christian’s had a good season and generally when we’ve had Burgess and Sean Raggett playing we’ve had good results.

‘They are a solid partnership back there and that’s been a key to us right now, with nine games to go, being in a pretty good position.’