Gary O'Neil has been talking about the possibility of a return to Fratton Park - but fans should not hold their breath over it happening for the new season.

The former Fratton favourite, who made his Blues debut aged 16, has been released by Bristol City. Although he says he would drop down a division to play for Pompey, he has said he believes he can still do a job in the Championship.

Many think the chance of Pompey offering him a deal, and him taking it over others that may come his way from the second tier, is a little unlikely. But longer term, O'Neil has his eye on coaching roles and says he'd love to play some part in the backroom team at Pompey.

O'Neil, who left Pompey in 2007, told The News: 'I know I can still play in the Championship, no problem. But it's just getting the opportunity. When people ask if I will drop down, of course I would do that because I just want to keep playing. But I don’t want to because I don't feel I need to.

'However, if Portsmouth said to me 'come and play for us', they would be the one team I would even consider turning down Championship clubs for. I loved my time there. I felt I left probably slightly too early, so have always wanted to come back in some form, some capacity. I had a really good spell there, the fans were fantastic. It would be brilliant to go back and see everyone and be part of the club again.

'I would look to go into coaching when I'm a bit older. So could end up coming back that way. But I don't want to do that yet because I feel I still have too much to offer on the field.

'Perhaps at Fratton Park in the future they may need an under-18s or under-23s coach. You never know when it’s going to be or how it is going to be. But it would be great to come back one day.'

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