Ben Davies' contract concern '“ but still focused on Pompey

Yet the experienced right-back is determined not to let uncertainty over his future distract him from the Blues’ promotion aspirations.

The issue of a new deal for the 34-year-old remains unresolved, despite negotiations having kicked off before Christmas.

Davies has taken to representing himself in talks as he seeks to reach a conclusion to keep him at Fratton Park beyond the summer.

The player-of-the-season contender has made 41 appearances and been an automatic choice for Paul Cook.

He can be expected to once again line-up at right-back for Saturday’s trip to Mansfield Town.

And the ex-Sheffield United player is eager to tie himself to Pompey for longer.

Davies said: ‘It is still the same on the contract, nothing has really been worked out.

‘But hopefully we can get it sorted and I can stay focused for the last 10 games.

‘I would take anything really, just a new deal.

‘You kind of get concerned a little bit when you are out of contract in a couple of months but there is nothing you can do about that.

‘You have to concentrate on your football and keep plugging away and something will be sorted out. I have been in this situation before.

‘You have to pray you don’t get injured and hopefully you keep winning and contributing, then it is easier.

‘But every time you get a disappointing result you have to put it on the backburner and go again looking to help the team win games.

‘I have done most of the negotiating myself this time. My agent is back in the midlands area so hopefully he can get himself down and try to sort it.

‘My wife’s a lawyer, maybe I need to send her in!

‘I’m staying focused on the football, though. The most important thing is getting last weekend’s result out of the way and beating Mansfield.

‘Hopefully I can get the contract done and dusted and also help being part of the team moving on and achieving automatic promotion.’

Last weekend’s dismal 3-0 defeat to Newport County undid the optimism generated from a stylish win at Accrington the previous fixture.

It also represented a seventh match in 22 days, including three consecutive midweek away matches.

But Davies does not believe tiredness can be rolled out as a reason behind the Newport let-down.

He added: ‘I felt fine for that game. I had a bit of a virus after the Accrington match and managed to shake it off in time and train the day before.

‘The lads went in feeling fresh and feeling sharp, which is why we are baffled about that performance.

‘We are fine, ready and raring to go for the next 10 games. As disappointing as Saturday was, we have to dust ourselves off and get ready for Mansfield.

‘With no midweek game, it has given everyone chance to have a good week and get a few things out in the open – so we can crack on with the final six weeks.’