Ben Close signed for one manager and soon found himself reporting to another - but says he can't wait to try to impress Kenny Jackett and get into his first team.

One of Paul Cook's last acts as manager before leaving for Wigan was to agree a new deal for Ben Close, the 20-year-pld who spent much of last season on loan at Eastleigh.

Close said he was delighted to have committed his future to Pompey and had no qualms over the change in manager.

He told The News: ‘It’s a great feeling to sign another contract. I’ve now had a few years in and around the first team and hopefully next season can be even better for me and I can play a lot more games. Last term I was a little bit unlucky with injuries, although finished the season well with Eastleigh and the reserves to give me a bit more confidence and game time.

‘This is the club I want to play for and where I see myself with a big future. I didn’t look elsewhere, I’m going to stay as long as I think I can get into the team. The day I can’t get into the side is probably the time to move on — but I still see my future at Pompey. ‘It was strange the manager leaving so soon after I had signed a new contract, but personally it doesn’t really change things.

‘My mindset hasn’t changed, I’m still going to work hard this off-season, hopefully head into pre-season fit and leave a good impression on the new manager. If it was Paul Cook in charge I’d have exactly the same mentality. There’s a new manager now and I will try to do the same thing and impress him.'

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