Ricky Holmes has raised a few eyebrows with comments about Pompey and Andy Awford as he begins a loan spell at Northampton.

The winger has been rumoured to be on the brink of moving for the past few days and has now gone - albeit not permanently - to one of the Blues' League Two rivals.

His move comes after fellow wingers Lee Holmes and Miles Storey had their Fratton loans ended.

Ricky Holmes told the Northampton Chronicle: 'Portsmouth told me I could go out and get some games and it’s come from nowhere really. I was playing every week and then we had a bad FA Cup game against Aldershot and they said they were going to look elsewhere.

'I was completely surprised to leave. I played 45-odd games last season and I’d become one of the fans’ favourites so when the news comes out down there I doubt they’ll be happy.

'But it’s been all change there this season. The gaffer hasn’t really stuck with his signed players and there’s a big squad there so he’s had to narrow them down. I think he’s been pressured into doing that and unfortunately I was one of the ones to leave but I’m relishing the chance to come to a new club, be wanted and show what I can do.'

Meanwhile one of Pompey's rumoured targets - striker Matt Tubbs - has been offered a new deal by Wimbledon, who he is currently with. The Dons say by their standards the offer is 'incredible'.

Pompey have a blank weekend as their scheduled opponents Tranmere are still in the FA Cup and they are not.

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