'I've tried to get them to rejoin': Sean Raggett urges team-mates to follow his lead and pledge future to Portsmouth
and live on Freeview channel 276
The Blues have offered fresh terms to out-of-contract trio Reeco Hackett, Michael Jacobs and Aiden O’Brien as Danny Cowley strives to keep them at Fratton Park.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdAnd the 29-year-old is keeping his fingers crossed that his display of commitment to the Blues cause can convince others to follow suit.
Raggett told The News: ‘Before I signed, I was keeping a close eye on others in the squad.
‘There were players who had options, so I wanted to see who the club were going to take up, and so far they’ve kept a lot of the squad together.
‘They have re-signed the likes of Louis (Thompson) and Marcus (Harness), plus young lads Jay (Mingi) and Jayden (Reid) who hopefully can push on this year.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad‘If we can also hopefully sign a couple of the other boys that are out of contract and then add bits of quality where we need it, we’ll have a really good squad for the season.
‘I have spoken to a couple of the players, trying to get them to rejoin. I was the same when I was watching others re-sign and that was influencing me a bit.
‘Hopefully me re-signing kicks it on a bit and they do the same. If we do, we’ll have a right good go at it next year.’
Jacobs has been offered appearance-related terms, with the Blues wary of a frustrating injury record which has blighted the talented winger’s availability.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdMeanwhile, O’Brien has made no secret of his desire to remain at Fratton Park following an eye-catching stay since his January deadline day arrival.
In the case of Hackett, the Blues have opted not to take up his option, preferring to negotiate a fresh deal with the former Bromley man.
This would allow them to table a contract longer than the 12-months offered by the existing clause in the agreement signed in January 2020.
Raggett added: ‘There’s Aiden, Michael and Reeco. Reeco had a good season, to be fair to him.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad‘If we can get those three to stay then we are not too far off, just a few bits of quality and I think we can have a right go.’
A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron
You can support our local team of expert Pompey writers by subscribing here for all the latest news from Fratton Park for 9p a day, thanks to our 30%-off transfer window deal.