Lewis Ward Joins Portsmouth

Kenny Jackett has today strengthened his goalkeeping options, signing Exeter City shot-stopper Lewis Ward on loan for the remainder of the season.

Following the news that Alex Bass is likely to miss the best part of 6-8 weeks with a stress fracture, Pompey have acted quickly to bring in a recognised goalkeeper to challenge Craig MacGillivray's position between the sticks.

Current back-up goalies Duncan Turnbull and Taylor Seymour have featured just once each for the Blues this season, both appearing in the 5-1 EFL Trophy defeat at Peterborough United earlier this month.

Manager Kenny Jackett told a Portsmouth FC representative: "Alex Bass' injury is a stress fracture and the recovery has been slow, so we felt we needed another keeper with league experience.

"We're delighted that Lewis has come in to add some competition and it's a big chance for him as well." - The gaffer added.

As reported by Portsmouth News reporter Jordan Cross earlier today, Huddersfield Town goalkeeper Jacob Chapman had spent the afternoon training with the Blues with the view of a potential loan move, however Kenny has since opted to recruit Lewis Ward instead.

A new face training with #Pompey today...https://t.co/0Q6BFVDtGu

— Jordan Cross (@pn_jordan_cross) January 28, 2021

23-year-old Ward, who progressed through the youth ranks at Reading but failed to make a senior appearance for the club, has spent a number of seasons on loan in the Non-League and Football League pyramids, representing the likes of Aldershot Town, Northampton Town and Forest Green Rovers in recent years.

Ward, who has acknowledged that he is unlikely to start this weekend's League One clash at Charlton, will be no stranger to the South Coast - he had spent time training with the Blues' academy earlier in his career and played against Pompey just last season, in THAT dramatic EFL Trophy Semi-Final tie between the Blues and the Grecians at Fratton Park, of which Pompey of course won by 3 goals to 2.

He signed for League Two Exeter in the summer of 2019 and kept a clean sheet on his debut in a victory over Macclesfield Town.

Ward has been handed the squad No. 22 at Fratton Park and has occupied the final position in Pompey's 22-man squad for players over the age of 21, which means that if any more senior signings are to be made before the Transfer Window deadline on February the 1st, players would need to leave for pastures new.

Do you understand why Kenny has brought in another goalkeeper? Is Craig MacGillivray's starting spot under threat? Where else, if anywhere, do the Blues need to strengthen before the closure of the transfer window?

Join Jake Smith, Dean Adams and Danny Crown LIVE on The Football Hour this Friday from 6pm to hear reaction to this signing, Tuesday's defeat at home to Lincoln City and a full preview of this weekend's trip to Charlton Athletic!