Bognor loan man backed by Pompey boss to bounce back

Jackett said he felt it was going to be tough for the Gosport forward to make a first-team breakthrough anytime soon – and garnering regular experience lower down the pyramid would be better for his career.

Lethbridge hasn't been offered a maiden professional deal at Fratton Park and will depart at the end of his third-year scholarship.

He scored once in three matches for Pompey, while he has netted 20 goals in 71 outings on loan at Bognor over the past two seasons.

Bognor are keen to recruit Lethbridge for the new season - especially with Dan Smith set to move to Eastleigh.

With senior players such as John Marquis and Ellis Harrison ahead in the striking pecking order at Pompey, Jackett felt it was going to be tough for Lethbridge to dislodge either. But the Blues manager insisted the 19-year-old's chances of becoming an established Football League player are far from over.

Jackett said: ‘Bradley is at the start of his journey. He obviously will be disappointed to not get a contract at Pompey and have to move on. Similarly, he's capable of doing well, Bradley. Sometimes you need opportunities as a young player.

‘If you do leave and go lower down the pyramid where you’ll get opportunities, that can bring you on as a player. It’s tough as a youth player or around being aged 18 or 19 to be competing for a centre-forward place with people who are 10 years older, that much further down their careers and are physically stronger.

‘It’s difficult at that age because, in the end, you have to take one of their places. There are so many places and so many contracts you can give out. Bradley is at an age where it's about what he does now and what he does going forward. He’s a capable player and we do wish him all the best because he’s a smashing lad.

‘Nobody would be more pleased than us if he can get the type of experience that can bring him back into the Football League.’

Lethbridge is now plotting his next move, but regardless of where he ends up, Jackett feels playing senior football week in, week out will be hugely beneficial for the youngster.

He added: ‘I don’t always think it is the worst thing being released. Bradley is very much at the start of his journey and it’ll very much depend on what happens for him going forward and what opportunities he’ll get as well.

‘If you’re in the right place at the right time, you can build up senior games over the next few years and there is no reason why Bradley can’t go on and have a very good career. When you look at players who are maybe coming towards their peak in the mid-twenties and look at the journey they’ve been on, it’s very rare it’s with the same club all the way through.’