Portsmouth reveal if there's been interest in former Blackburn and Doncaster defender Paul Downing

But the door remains ajar for the out-of-favour centre-back to depart Pompey before the transfer window shuts on Friday.

Despite signing a three-year deal when joining on a free transfer from Blackburn in the summer, Downing’s been in the cold for the majority of his time at Fratton Park.

He’s failed to start a League One game since September 17, while he’s been omitted from the past four match-day squads following Jack Whatmough’s comeback from his long-term knee injury.

Gallen accepts Downing will be wanting regular minutes at the age of 28 and may look to depart before the cut-off point at the end of this month.

The assistant manager said: ‘Paul will be disappointed Jack has come in and, pecking order-wise, is ahead of him.

‘Albeit, Paul’s not silly and understands where this all is.

‘He needs to keep fit, stay fit and wait for a chance or maybe there’s a chance if he feels he can go somewhere else.

‘I think with Paul, he’ll be thinking he has to play games because he is 28.

‘But we are open for Paul to be playing for us and we don’t think anyone has seen the best of him yet.

‘He has played a lot of games and for some big clubs, and Paul will be thinking “why can’t I get into the team now the confidence and crowd is back and play?”’

But with three days of the window remaining, Gallen admitted there have yet to be any enquires for Doncaster.

Asked if the phone has gone about the former Doncaster man, Gallen replied: ‘No.’