The number's not up for Pompey
The number crunching and calculator bashing is finally on the verge of reaping precious rewards.
For Pompey, it's 20 and counting.
And it appears the Blues are poised to at last provide Steve Cotterill with good cheer as he strives to strengthen his threadbare squad.
Football League legislation states its members must have a minimum of 20 players in a squad.
It's a rule intended to preserve the league's competitiveness and ensure a fair and level playing field.
For Pompey, it represents the backdoor to nullifying the registration embargo.
Should their squad numbers dip below 20, they are permitted to ask the Football League for special dispensation to bring in extra bodies.
Encouragingly, enough, the hand is already being raised to knock on the door.
For, at the last count, Cotterill had a mere 16 at his disposal.
The last week has seen the transfers of Nadir Belhadj and Papa Bouba Diop tied up, while Tal Ben-Haim appears to be heading for West Ham.
In addition, Ryan Gazet Du Chattelier has been released and Paris Cowan-Hall also departed after asking to end his month-to-month contract in favour of moving elsewhere.
So five down and still plenty to go. Never fear, however, the exodus will not stop there.
The Blues are currently close to reaching agreements to cancel the contracts of three of their youngsters.
They include reserve-team regulars Gael Nlundulu and Jordan Hughes.
The third is Danijel Subotic – the Swiss striker who has failed to make an impact at Fratton Park.
Boss Cotterill doesn't rate the trio, while Subotic's reputed 3,000-a-week wage is a drain on finances the club can ill-afford.
The 21-year-old has effectively cost Pompey 390,000 since Harry Redknapp brought him into the club in January 2008.
He has also never made a first-team squad during that time.
While Cotterill looks to juggle his squad, Pompey have also received the Football League's blessing not to include their first-year professionals when calculating the 20.
Billy Goddard, Perry Ryan, Ellis Martin and Peter Gregory all penned their maiden senior contracts this summer.
However, the club have managed to persuade football chiefs it would not be in the interests of player development if such players were included.
Meanwhile, former England under-17 defender James Hurst is on loan at Icelandic side IBV until the end of September.
Any players out of the club on loan also are not counted within the 20.
Next up for consideration are those out-of-contract players who, at present, cannot even sign tabled deals due to the embargo.
This includes Hermann Hreidarsson, whose very presence on the pre-season tour to America and Canada indicates he wants to remain.
Kanu is another but his position is a complex one, hinging on whether a verbal agreement over an extension is legally binding.
Meanwhile, David James still has not informed Pompey of his decision, which does not auger well for a potential return.
As a result, at this moment in time, none are officially registered with the club for this coming season.
This brings us to the grand total of just 16 players in Cotterill's squad.
The Blues boss has already sought special dispensation to bring in Ibrahima Sonko in on a season-long loan.
Meanwhile, trialists Stephen Jordan and Jamie Ashdown could take the same route if they impress.
Yet there is still plenty of shuffling to be made, and if Prince Boateng and John Utaka are also moved on, as expected, there could be more recruits yet.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 15 C to 23 C
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