Whittingham rules out Rocha playing return

But he has emphatically ruled out the veteran defender returning for a fourth playing spell.

As revealed on portsmouth.co.uk yesterday, the fans’ favourite joined the Blues for a training session at Fratton Park.

Whittingham insists the 35-year-old already has something lined-up in January and wants to maintain his fitness in the meantime.

Rocha previously made 97 Pompey appearances, turning out in three divisions.

Yet, according to Whittingham, his presence is not with a view to representing the first-team once again.

He said: ‘It’s the first time I have seen Ashleigh Emberson (club liaison co-ordinator) run! She didn’t know Ric was coming in and ran up to him and gave him a big cuddle!

‘He’s a good guy and you cannot get enough of good guys.

‘He will probably be here for the next five or six weeks, maybe even longer.

‘He is hoping something will work out for him abroad in January so we are happy to have him here to pass on his experience.

‘He will not be playing for us. Let me tell you, it’s a definite no – he’s got something in mind in January which he wants to do.

‘He’s always a guy that keeps himself fit, although I don’t think he has been attached to a club anywhere.

‘He went to Portugal but wanted to come back and settle here, so he has brought his family over because he has fallen in love with the place. We all know it is a great part of the world.’

Rocha to lend his experience n Pages 82-83