Merson ponders future with Pompey

Paul Merson today insisted he will not rush a decision over his future after helping Portsmouth clinch their place in the Premiership.

Merson has been a key figure in helping Harry Redknapp’s side secure automatic promotion from Division One after moving from Aston Villa in August.

Now the former England and Arsenal midfielder will use the summer break to make his mind up over whether he wants another crack at the big time at the age of 35.

Merson said: “I don’t know yet about my future. I am not going to sit down today and make a hasty decision.

“I don’t want to mug myself. I won’t do it if I think I can’t do myself justice. I’ll take as long as it takes to make up my mind.

“I feel I have played well this season but I will speak with Harry Redknapp and maybe come back for pre-season and see it how goes.”

Merson won most of the major honours in the game with the Gunners but his two spells outside of the Premiership have seen him help Middlesbrough and now Pompey gain promotion.

He said: “This has given me a lot of satisfaction but I knew the score. I knew what was needed to get out of this league. I’ve done it twice – and I would have got Wolves promoted if they had been able to buy me.

“That was close to happening when John Gregory was still Villa manager last season but in the end they wouldn’t let me go.

“It’s been a great season and no-one expected us to go up. There were plenty more teams fancied ahead of us pre-season.

“The club had been in the bottom eight for goodness knows how many years so it has been a phenomenal achievement. It’s been hard but what an achievement.”