Portsmouth: Guy Whittingham pleased with new assistant

Portsmouth have announced that physio Steve Allen is to be their new assistant manager.

The 46-year-old will combine both roles, managing all medical aspects and the fitness of the players as well as being Guy Whittingham's number two.

And the Pompey boss says Allen was the obvious choice to assist him.

"His football knowledge is excellent and he has been around the game for plenty of years," Whittingham told BBC Radio Solent.

Whittingham added: "He's got his Uefa A badge so he is a qualified coach but he will primarily be used as an assistant manager."

Meanwhile after Thursday's capture of forward David Connolly, Pompey are all set to keep Johnny Ertl at the club.

The Austrian midfielder, who ended the season as Pompey's captain, is currently back-packing in the Philippines.

But chief executive Mark Catlin is confident he will still be at Fratton Park next season.

"He is another one we want to sign and is a great lad," Catlin told BBC South Today.

"He's become an idol with the fans and the last I heard with Guy was he was finalising details with Johnny.

"I think Johnny is flying back for one day before he flies back to Austria for two or three weeks, so during that one day we are hoping to get it sorted as well."