Liam Vincent has admitted that his immediate future at Portsmouth is likely to depend upon how he performs for the club during pre-season.
The defender missed a considerable chunk of action last season as he struggled with injury.
Before the start of the 2021/22 campaign, Vincent suffered a fractured shin which kept him out of action for four months.
After being included on the substitutes bench for Pompey's clashes with Lincoln City and Gillingham, the 19-year-old suffered another injury setback in November.
Despite being included as part of the club's match-day squad on a number of occasions during the second half of the season, Vincent was not handed the chance to impress at senior level by head coach Danny Cowley due to the presence of Denver Hume and Connor Ogilvie.
With the transfer window set to open in June, Portsmouth may need to make a decision regarding Vincent's future.
Making reference to his current situation, Vincent has admitted that he would be open to the possibility of leaving Pompey on a temporary basis.
Speaking to The News, Vincent said: "I think my future will depend on pre-season.
"There is a very clear understanding that whether it's at Pompey next season potentially on loan, the aim is to get 40 games or starts and build my senior profile.
"It all depends on pre-season.
"You never know when injuries will arise and we had a really small squad last year, so it will depend on the first few weeks of the summer."
Vincent later added: "I think a loan would be great for me, as well.
"If you can get that first half of the season where you're playing week in, week-out (it's great)."
The Verdict
When you consider that Vincent is currently below Hume and Ogilvie in the pecking order at Portsmouth, it could be argued that the club ought to be looking to sanction a loan move for him regardless of how gets on in pre-season.
Having admitted that he wants to be playing regularly at senior level, the defender may be able to achieve this goal if he joins a club in a lower division in the coming months.
If Vincent goes on to make considerable strides in terms of his development elsewhere, there is no reason why cannot potentially compete for a place in Portsmouth's side in the future.
As for Pompey, they will be determined to sign some classy operators this summer as they aim to reach new heights in League One under the guidance of Cowley.