Portsmouth have decided against signing trialist James Meredith on a permanent deal, BBC South's Portsmouth reported Andrew Moon has revealed.

The left-back had started training with Portsmouth last month, after being released by Championship side Millwall in July, having made 85 appearances in all competitions during his two seasons at The Den.

It has now been reported that the 31-year-old is no longer training with Kenny Jackett's side, and has since moved on to search for first-team football elsewhere.

Prior to his move to Millwall, the Australian had spent several years playing further down the divisions in English football with the likes of York City and Bradford City.

The decision not to hand Meredith a contract means that Portsmouth are left with Lee Brown and Brandon Haunstrup as the club's two recognised left-back.

Having reached the League One play-offs last season, Pompey have endured a slow start to the current campaign, winning one and drawing two of their opening five games of the season, leaving them 18th in the early standings.

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The Verdict

This is a slightly surprising one.

Given Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett was only talking about giving Meredith the chance to impress in games earlier this week, Meredith's departure now does seem quite sudden.

Considering they have made such a slow start to the season, I wonder whether Pompey may have been tempted to give someone with some recent Championship experience the chance to make an impact for them at third-tier level.

With the slow start to the season they have endured, it does seem as though Jackett needs to come up with something quickly, even if it isn't through Meredith.