Jackett wants to add quality

Jackett seeking quality rather than quantity to boost ranks

KENNY JACKETT has assured the Fratton faithful that Pompey are actively attempting to recruit fresh faces.

But he has warned nothing is ‘imminent’ as he strives to add quality rather than quantity to his squad.

The Blues potentially have four vacant spaces as clubs attempt to fall into line with 22-man squad restrictions.

That takes into account Duncan Turnbull being loaned out and not included among the 18 senior players presently on Pompey’s firstteam roster.

Regardless, Sean Raggett has been their sole signing during a summer of sparse recruitment which has frustrated supporters.

Pompey struggled to defeat League Two Stevenage in the Carabao Cup on Saturday, raising further concerns.

But Jackett is adamant the Blues are continuing to pursue transfer targets.

He told The News: ‘We have obviously tried very hard to bring in some new faces, without any success.

‘But, similarly, I don’t want to bring in players that are no better than the ones we’ve got.

‘We’ve got a very honest group and, if we bring players in, they must at least complement or improve certain positions.

‘Yes we have been active. Yes we have tried and will continue to try to improve. There is no doubt about that, but I must stress that I don’t want to bring in players who are roundabout what we have.

‘If we don’t fill up our squad spaces, but a few new players improve us then I would take that.

‘I would like to get good players in tomorrow morning if I could. Or last week. That is the case, 100 per cent we would.

‘But if those players are not available and you think they might be in the coming weeks, that is the decision and the assessment.’

With Ellis Harrison and Reeco Hackett-Fairchild not available following injury, Pompey named just 16 senior players at Stevenage.

Academy graduates Haji Mnoga and Alfie Stanley came in to occupy the bench for the Carabao Cup fixture.

The Blues ran out 3-1 winners thanks to substitute Craig MacGillivray’s penalty shoot-out heroics.

Yet at one stage the League Two side were leading 3-1, such was Pompey’s awful first-half showing.

They found themselves 2-0 behind in the opening 10 minutes and 3-1 down inside the half-hour mark.

And Jackett acknowledged he wants to boost his squad numbers.

But the Blues boss is not going to be rushed in the transfer market and bring in arrivals that will not improve on the current crop he has available to him.

He added: ‘Do you need to take players right now? We have quite an even distribution of players, with experience and a good attitude within those.

‘But I can only stress that, in terms of the players I’m bringing in, we want to improve it if we can.

‘It’s hard to tell when someone will come in. We’re really working away at the moment, but I can’t say there’s something imminent.

‘However, we are always hopeful that some of our work will come to fruition.’