Where will Blues look to strengthen when the January transfer window swings open?
THE January transfer window is now just three weeks away – and Pompey’s planning will be well under way.
Kenny Jackett has admitted the Blues are unlikely to make wholesale changes – but he is hoping to strengthen.
And while Pompey still have six games before transfers are again permitted, we take an early look at how things could pan out at Fratton Park.
WHERE WILL RECRUITMENT BE FOCUSED ON?
Tom Naylor and Andy Cannon have formed an excellent engine-room partnership and both are thriving since the switch to a 4-4-2 formation.
But Pompey have no likefor-like replacement for either and central midfield could be a position that's bolstered.
Given they missed out on Millwall’s Ben Thompson late in the summer window, a box-to-box player who can be rotated with the high-octane Cannon is an option.
Depending on Jordy Hiwula’s future, an additional striker may also need to be recruited.
Hiwula’s deal expires on January 20 and, while Jackett is edging towards keeping him, the forward may have an offer elsewhere that guarantees more minutes. He’s featured in the league for only 10 minutes so far.
SHIFTING OUT FRINGE PLAYERS
The 22-man squad being full means that Pompey will need to move on some of their fringe players if fresh faces are to be recruited.
The obvious ones are Paul Downing and James Bolton, who the Blues were open to offers for in the summer.
The duo have remained on the fringes of things and have scarcely been included on the bench in the league.
Downing, 29, and Bolton, 26, are both at stages of their career where they'll surely want to be playing regular football and would also be keen to depart.
Meanwhile, if a midfielder was recruited, there'd be the option to allow Bryn Morris, whose gametime has also been limited of late, to potentially move elsewhere.
WILL THE LOANEES STAY?
It was two years ago when Pompey were hit by their loan players being recalled by their parent clubs.
Ben Thompson was the biggest blow, no doubt, but the departures of Andre Green and David Wheeler shouldn't go underestimated.
Pompey could face a similar scenario after January 3 should Rasmus Nicolaisen's position not change. By his own admission, the Dane will return to FC Midtjylland if he doesn't start playing more frequently.
Nicolaisen's been unable to shift Jack Whatmough and Sean Raggett in central defence, however.
Should that remain the same in Pompey's next six games, it'll only further increase the chances of Nicolaisen heading back to his parent club.
As a result, the Blues would then likely target a new central defender who’s preferably leftfooted.
Bristol City also hold a recall option on Cam Pring. He’s been behind Lee Brown in the left-back pecking order but knew that would likely be the case when he arrived in the summer.