Left-back conundrum at Portsmouth which could affect Bristol Rovers

Lee Brown in action for Portsmouth

Portsmouth appear to be blessed with resources at left-back with Steve Seddon, Rovers hero Lee Brown and Brandon Haunstrup on the books.

But that could change this summer, according to the Portsmouth News. Seddon, who has been hugely impressive on the south coast since joining on loan from Birmingham, is set to command a sizeable fee in the summer – with Pompey unlikely pay the price

Gas legend Brown, who scored the famous winner on the last day of the season in 2016 to secure promotion to League One, is coming to the end of his deal at Fratton Park, though the club have an option to keep him on for another year.

But the player of most interest to Gasheads could be Haunstrup. The bright young talent is out of contract next month and has been previously linked with a move to the Mem, with the News reporting it is unlikely he will stay beyond this summer due to a lack of playing time.

Read more here

Liverpool and West Ham youngsters in demand

Ben Woodburn

Highly-rated Ben Woodburn and Nathan Holland, of the Reds and Hammers respectively, have spent this season on loan at Oxford United, and Us boss Karl Robinson is keen to have the duo back for the 2020/21 campaign.

Both have had injury issues, but Robinson likes what he has seen, according to the Oxford Mail.

“We’d love the opportunity for Ben Woodburn to be back and we want Nathan Holland back with us next year,” Robinson said.

“They’re conversations we’re having. We feel it would be right for their careers.

“They are both players who should have come and ripped it up. They did when they were fit, but unfortunately the injuries have probably knocked them back six months.

Read more here

Championship clubs ‘battling it out for midfielder’

Jonson Clarke-Harris of Bristol Rovers takes on Scott Fraser of Burton Albion
Jonson Clarke-Harris of Bristol Rovers takes on Scott Fraser of Burton Albion

Hull City and Barnsley are chasing the signature of out-of-contract Burton Albion midfielder Scott Fraser, according to the Daily Record.

The 25-year-old Scotsman is coming to the end of his deal and is set to move on to a higher level.

Hull failed with a bid for the former Dundee United man in January, but boss Grant McCann is hopefful of getting him on a free.

Read more here

Sunderland extend furloughs

Many clubs have used the Government’s furlough scheme to cut costs and prevent job losses during the coronavirus crisis, with Sunderland one of the first to do so.

And the Sunderland Echo reports the club has extended their use of the scheme into June with League One clubs still unsure if the season will be completed.

All of Sunderland’s players, backroom staff and academy players were furloughed in April, with the club fully topping up their pay to 100 per cent.

Read more here