Richie Barker has praised Jake Jervis for the impact he has made at Portsmouth since signing during the transfer window.
Jervis has grabbed three goals in four starts, despite being out of the game for a considerable length of time because of a contract wrangle with former club Elazigspor.
However, despite the strong start to his Fratton Park career, Barker says that Jervis could suffer a dip in form because of his lack of match action.
"Jake hasn't played football for a long time, so to just come in and play three games in a week was a bit much. I don't think people realise how much he hasn't played," Barker told the Portsmouth News.
"It's not been like he's been in the reserves. He's literally not played. He's worked hard and had the hardest period he's had for months, to be fair to him.
"But he's got his head down and gets on with it. People will hit a lull, so it's up to us to recognise that and see when he needs a break."
Jervis started his career with Birmingham City.
Gary Peters
