Matt Clarke has been disobeying orders from boss Kenny Jackett.

The Blues manager revealed the centre-half - voted Pompey's player of the season - had been going into the gym on occasions when he should have been taking a day off.

The revelation came as Jackett praised Clarke for a fine season but challenged the 21-year-old and defensive partner Christian Burgess to be the best centre halves in League One next season.

Jackett told The News: ‘His (Clarke's) performances have been very good, but the other players would see how hard he works and how committed he is to football. It’s hard to get him out of the gym really.

'You give him a day off and tell him not to come in, but he’ll end up going in Roko. You see his car. He says he’s not there, but we see his car there too many times! That’s how he is.

‘He genuinely works really hard and is very professional. ‘While his peers will look at his performances, they would recognise his professionalism as well. For Matt, he’s to be congratulated for his performances on the pitch.

‘To get the award from your peers is a great achievement — one I’m sure he appreciates. He’s hungry to play football and do well for the club.’

Jackett also said he wanted to see Clarke and Burgess dominate in the air - at both ends of the pitch.

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