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Inevitable so maximise our asset

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Matt Clarke has been every inch the footballer we hoped he would be – and more – since arriving at Fratton Park from Ipswich in 2015.

The loss of Adam Webster, as part of that deal to sign Clarke, was a setback, but to get money and the (then) teenage central defender was a great deal on the part of Pompey, literally everyone was happy.

Clarke has filled the void of Webster, and some, which has inevitably brought advancing glances from others, Clarke himself is keen on playing at a higher level, but also conceded on the eve of the victory at MK Dons on Saturday – a game in which he of course scored – he wasn’t in a hurry to move on.

‘I aspire to get to the top. I test myself and work hard every day, so why can’t I get there? Hopefully if I keep doing what I’m doing then I will end up where I deserve to be. Right now I am happy playing for Pompey and hopefully continuing to develop,’ he told the News.

Adding: ‘I’m doing what I’ve always done and it’s working for me. No matter how much I love playing for Portsmouth, any footballer aspires to play at the top level they can play at – but there is no rush. For me right now, there is nothing better than playing football week in, week out – and I’m getting that here.’

The fact Pompey were able to maintain his services beyond the January transfer window was brilliant, if the Blues can do this beyond the end of the season and into the 2018-19 campaign remains to be seen.

However, as inevitable as it is clubs at Championship, if not Premier League level, will come calling for him sooner rather than later we can obviously maximise our asset by tying him down to a long-term deal, for what it’s worth.

Talks are underway, all being well these can be concluded with his deal, which is set to expire in the summer of 2019, extended to ensure the best possible deal can be conducted for Clarke, 21, when that time to depart does happen.

PLAY UP POMPEY

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2017-18 Prediction League – February
Blackburn (h) Tuesday 13th February 2018 – click here.
Southend (a) Saturday 17th February 2018 – click here.
Fleetwood (a) Tuesday 20th February 2018 – click here.
Blackpool (h) Saturday 24th February 2018 – click here.

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