John Mousinho provides exciting update over out-of-contract Portsmouth trio after crunch talks
Pompey have seven players out of contract at the end of the season.
John Mousinho has confirmed talks are progressing well with out-of-contract trio Marlon Pack, Zak Swanson and Connor Ogilvie.
And the head coach has revealed the annual end-of-season meetings with all of his Blues squad have taken place ahead of Saturday’s campaign finale against Birmingham City.
Mousinho has made his stance clear in recent months over rewarding the trio with fresh terms, having all played key roles in Pompey’s Championship survival.
With their Championship status secured, the head coach revealed talks are now ‘full steam ahead’ as they look to tie the three Fratton favourites down to new deals.
And the Blues boss confirmed discussions are ‘progressing’ after sporting director Rich Hughes met with the trio’s agents this week.
Pompey ‘progressing’ in talks with out-of-contract trio
‘We’re still full steam ahead on trying to get the three of those done,’ Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent.
‘I know on Monday Rich (Hughes) travelled to meet agents and - particularly now after we’ve secured our Championship status - to figure out what that might look like for the three of them.
‘Talks are progressing. I‘ve spoken to the three of them this week and we’re hopeful to get something done.’
At the close of every season, Mousinho holds meetings with all members of his playing squad to discuss the recent campaign - and in some cases their future - with those talks usually taking place after the final day.
But with their Championship safety already confirmed this year, the head coach has revealed those conversations have taken place this week, with discussions with the loan players set to wrap up on Friday.
Pompey boss’ insight into end-of-season player discussions
The Blues boss added: ‘We’re doing that this week. We want to get the right balance to make sure that we are aware of the importance of the last game.
‘I do think it’s important to put on a good performance and try and win the game - that was evident on the weekend with the amount of positivity flowing off the back of the game.
‘How important it is for certain individuals to perform well and also for our league position. It could be a nice boost.
‘We’ve obviously managed to secure our league status but league position is now the next most important thing for us.
So we want to keep an eye on that game but also we’ve given ourselves that luxury of being able to tie everything up this week.
‘I’ve had a couple of conversations already. A lot of them are much more straightforward than they have been in previous years.
‘We haven’t got a huge amount out of contract compared to what we’ve had over the past couple of years.
‘We can box up a couple of conversations with the loan players and everything else will be done on Friday morning and Friday afternoon.
‘We’ll still have that full focus on the game but the lads will be free to start their summers on Saturday evening.’