Kenny Jackett: Some players have family fears over Portsmouth training return

According to Kenny Jackett, a small number of his first-team squad have indicated concerns over visiting their Copnor Road training home.

In such instances, the reticence is mainly motivated by the desire not to put their families at risk by potentially becoming infected.

However, they continue to follow individual training programmes, which have been in place since the season was stalled in mid-March.

And Jackett insists he entirely understands those players’ viewpoints.

The Blues boss said: ‘It is still optional training with individual time slots. The majority of the players have been taking that up, some haven’t.

‘There are a small number who aren’t attending and it is their decision. I would never force any player if they don’t feel comfortable coming in. I respect their decision 100 per cent.

‘However, for the players that do want to come in and get some structure for their fitness work, the opportunity is there.

‘I have kept in touch with those guys not coming in and understand their position 100 per cent. The decisions are for safety reasons, personal reasons and family reasons,

‘The family situation is the main one. It’s not only a worry about yourself, but you are worrying for other people, maybe in your family. That’s the concern.

‘It has to be a choice for the individual. So for the players that have wanted it, we have been able to put on the optional work.

‘That will remain the case until we get the green light to do our group training and contact work.’

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