The Pompey Player Cull

Last updated : 09 May 2014 By Jim Bonner

Portsmouth have released nine players as preparations for next season begin.

Jake Jervis and Thery Racon head the list while Marcos Painter, Ashley Harris, Yassin Moutaouakil and Phil Smith have also been shown the door. The list is completed with youngsters George Branford, Liam Triggs and Josh Warren not being offered new deals.

None of these decisions are particularly shocking developments. Jervis and Racon were barely called upon by Andy Awford but could be seen at other League Two clubs next season, Painter was too prone to injury, Moutaouakil and Harris simply not good enough whilst Smith could yet return to the club as a coach in the future.

Awford has decided that Adam Webster and Ryan Bird will be staying at the club, with the latter having scored 5 goals in 9 games in the Conference for Cambridge which suggests he may still be able to make the step up to League Two if utilised properly.

Other players remain out of contract with Pompey keen to keep hold of Jed Wallace, Nicky Shorey, Jack Maloney and Nick Awford. Bondz N'Gala is someone else that is wanted at the club and some would say that he is fortunate given some of his performances this season.

Trevor Carson, Danny Hollands, Daniel Alfei and Michael Drennan have all returned to Bury, Charlton, Swansea and Aston Villa respectively but hopefully a permanent deal for the former two players can be agreed as both Carson and Hollands played significant parts in Pompey's survival.

As for the academy, midfielders Ben Close and Bradley Tarbuck have been offered professional contracts but there will be no new deals for Harry Medway, Lewis Horsburgh and Kim Jae-Hon.