Knight: Jamie would be tempted to stay

Club legend Alan Knight – who played more than 800 games in a 22-year career for Pompey – was the Blues stopper’s former goalkeeping coach.

And he played a major part in bringing Ashdown to Fratton Park back in 2004.

Knight, who knows a thing or two about club loyalty, believes the out-of-contract Ashdown is the type of character who might decide to stay to be part of Pompey’s re-birth – even if it meant a big drop in wages.

Knight said: ‘In an ideal world, I would think Jamie would like to possibly stay and establish himself at the club all over again.

‘But there are so many other questions to answer.

‘The whole club is in limbo at the moment.

‘Without knowing the future of the club, it’s almost impossible for anyone to plan anything.

‘I’m sure Jamie has feelings for the club but so much will depend on what happens this summer.

‘You would expect that if he was to stay, he would have to take a significant pay cut.

‘But it looked like he was leaving two years ago when the club released him and he came back, so you never know.’

Ashdown is set to hold talks with Blues boss Michael Appleton about his future but knows the club cannot match his previous contract.

The 31-year-old was the subject of interest from Millwall when all of Pompey’s squad were made available.

And his performances toward the end of last season proved that he is still more than capable of performing in the Championship.

But Ashdown – and his wife Zoe – have been a driving force behind many of the playing staff joining the Pompey Supporters’ Trust bid for ownership and clearly has an affinity with the club.

Knight, however, knows his former protégé also has to put his family’s financial security first.

Knight said: ‘Jamie has had a real rollercoaster with the club.

‘He’s been there a long time and has been through everything that has gone on.

‘I suppose I have to take some of the blame for that because I was goalkeeping coach and I scouted him, so whether he will still talk to me, I’m not too sure!

‘But he’s got to look after himself, his own interests and his family.

‘So nobody could begrudge him if he did sign a contract with another club.

‘He’s been a good servant down the years.

‘But he’s not the sort of bloke to only be concerned about the money.

‘So if Jamie knew he was going to be number one at a stable club, he may well be up for that challenge.

‘He would have to weigh up the possibility of Championship football elsewhere or being number one in League One at a club where he is settled and has history.

‘Only he can answer that but he may well be looking for a few answers himself.’