Portsmouth want a new centre-back this summer – and although they insist that is regardless of Matt Clarke’s future, insiders suggest his departure is inevitable.

Clarke is expected to be offered a chance to play at a higher level, provided a bid is accepted, after Portsmouth were beaten in the League One play-offs by Sunderland.

The 22-year-old player of the season, who is under contract until 2020, has remained coy about what might happen next. He has been strongly linked with Stoke City, who have had scouts watching his progress all season.

But Kenny Jackett is already making plans for next term.

(Image: Bryn Lennon)

The manager told the Portsmouth News: “I would think so (a centre-back will be high on the shopping list).

“At the moment we have two centre-halves in (Christian) Burgess and Clarke. Anton Walkes and Tom Naylor can play there and those are our options. Yes, we have young Matt Casey. In his Checkatrade Trophy and under-23 games this season he has made good progress.

“But if you're saying in terms of squad planning then we do need another centre-half. I’d be happy with three and then Casey as a young one.”

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Portsmouth have been linked with Jordan Willis, who is a free agent after leaving Coventry, as well as Plymouth’s Ryan Edwards and Oldham’s George Edmundson, who has also been linked with Stoke.

The News’s Portsmouth writer Will Rooney described keeping Clarke as ‘an improbable scenario’.