Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett has revealed that striker Brett Pitman is still club captain but also confirmed he may not play every week as he enters the final year of his contract, as reported by the Portsmouth News.

The club's leading scorer in the 2017/18 season suffered a tough campaign last time out, first being dropped and later playing deeper than his preferred centre forward role.

He couldn't find a spark in the two-legged play-off semi-final defeat against Sunderland, but former Wolves boss Jackett confirmed he will continue as captain this season.

"Pitman is still captain and Evans is still vice-captain," he told the Portsmouth News.

"When Brett hasn’t always been in the team, Gareth captained, Tom Naylor also had quite a number of appearances as captain after them."

Despite confirming Pitman will still be the captain, he added a warning for the 31-year-old, who bagged 11 in 33 outings last season.

"I do think now for Brett, though, he is in the last year of his contract and will want to really work hard to do well this season.

"For him, it is a challenge to get into the side, as it is with every player. It’s a challenge he can rise to."

The former Ipswich man has 38 goals in 83 outings for Pompey during his two-year stay at the club.

The Verdict

Jackett is backed into a corner a little bit here. He does still need Pitman, but he's unlikely to play most games as he struggled last season at times.

However, if he strips him of the captaincy he sends a strong message out; you're on your way.

There isn't a reason to do that, not in this day and age. A team should have a number of leaders on the field, especially one expecting to be at the top of the table.

The role of captain is often simply functional now, photos and a coin toss, maybe a few extra engagements off the field. On the pitch, they're not quite as important as perhaps they once were. Not that Brett Pitman will want to read that of course.