Guy Whittingham promised Scott Allan still has a key role to play for Pompey.
The Blues caretaker boss revealed Allan was sacrificed for tactical reasons at half-time at Coventry on Saturday.
But he still wants the Scot to play a major part in his side in the coming weeks.
Allan’s loan spell at Fratton Park came to a close after the 1-1 draw at the Ricoh Arena.
Yet Whittingham revealed last week the player was willing to extend his stay further.
He was withdrawn at the break for Nathaniel Mendez-Laing as Pompey looked to inject more pace into the game.
Whittingham said: ‘Scott is a very talented player, who, when you get him on the ball, will give you everything.
‘I just thought we just needed a bit more pace up there in the second half on Saturday.
‘He said he wanted to stay on Thursday and I’m hoping that’s not changed now I’ve brought him off!
‘There’s a bigger picture. Scotty’s type of football is going to be needed in the next games.’
Whittingham admitted it was refreshing to look at his bench on Saturday and see game-changing players.
That’s something that has been lacking for Pompey this season.
Whittingham said: ‘The advantage of bringing people like Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Jake Jervis in is you can change it.
‘It’s so nice to look on the bench and think we need a bit of this, so we can bring him on.’
The stand-in boss explained he also decided to err on the side of caution when it came to Gabor Gyepes’ fitness at Coventry.
The Hungarian defender was withdrawn after 35 minutes against Leyton Orient after suffering from heart palpitations.
Gyepes was due to undergo tests but was told the problem was related to a recent bout of illness.
‘Gabor wasn’t quite right for the game (on Saturday),’ said Whittingham.
‘I think everything is okay. He’s put a shift in and been one of our best players.
‘It was time to give him a break and give him some time out.
‘He’ll be in contention for the game against Tranmere because with three central defenders we have competition for places.
‘He didn’t have a (heart) test. It was probably just tiredness.
‘He was ill at Bury and the doc said it was probably something still lurking from that.
‘His body wasn’t 100 per cent, so that was the right way to go.’
Comments