Exclusive:Warning issued over Portsmouth first-team futures for struggling trio
The Blues trio have made just six league appearances between them since leaving on loan for League One in the transfer window
Rich Hughes has warned Pompey’s struggling loan trio: If you want to play for us, you’ll need to perform in League One.
Josh Knight, Hayden Matthews and Makenzie Kirk all left Fratton Park in the summer on season-long loans in search of regular football.
Yet Knight and Matthews have still to be included in any league squads for respective clubs Reading and Bradford, while Kirk’s seven starts with Barnsley have seen him substituted at half-time in four of them.
And Hughes has challenged Knight, Matthews and Kirk to do something about their ongoing omissions.
‘They have to go and find a way of getting into teams’
The Blues’ sporting director told The News: ‘We do like them to be playing, but one of the challenges is if they want to be professionals for Portsmouth Football Club, they have to go and find a way of getting into teams.
‘There are probably varying circumstances for varying players. Toby (Steward) has been going great guns, we are really pleased with that.
‘Hayden probably had the toughest assignment in terms of going into a team which wasn't conceding many goals and winning games, which makes it quite difficult.
‘He’s had a bit of involvement in terms of the Vertu Trophy and the Carabao Cup but, ultimately, the challenge falls at Hayden’s door to go and work his way into a team.
‘Josh Knight was recovering from an injury which he had with us, so he’ll be backing himself to go and get in that Reading team when he is fit and able to do so.
‘His injury was nothing significant, but they were happy with where he was and happy to take him. It was a very small strain, but he should be back and available for Reading on the other side of the international break.
‘Then we have Joe Bursik, who has got himself into the Wimbledon team and done really well following on from that.
‘Finally, Makenzie has had some good moments and some moments he needs to keep working on, while he has nicked a goal.
‘As talented as we think he is, he has got to keep working through and finding a way of establishing himself in that Barnsley team to get himself going.’
Away on international duty with Northern Ireland Under-21s
Bradford presently top League One, having conceded just four goals in seven league matches, demonstrating why Matthews has still to force his way in.
However, with Graham Alexander having this week moved to Preston, the Australian will no doubt be hoping to be handed more first-team opportunities under his Valley Parade replacement, despite two cup outings.
Knight has yet to make any of Reading’s six squads in all competitions since his arrival, with the Royals hosting Bradford on Saturday.
Hughes added: ‘It’s still early in the season and everything will start to settle down.
‘We want them to be playing, but we also need to create that real jeopardy for the boys, they have to get into teams and they have to perform at League One if they want to perform at Portsmouth Football Club.’