Cook: Squad already good enough to go up

But the Blues boss underlined he is looking for a ‘natural progression’ in recruits to stiffen his resources.

Cook has already outlined his plans to be busy in terms of signings over the coming weeks.

And a number of names, including the likes of Chesterfield’s Jay O’Shea and Huddersfield’s departing talent Duane Holmes, have been mentioned as targets.

So far, though, the retained list being released has been the only news in terms of Pompey squad movement.

Chad Field and Snorre Nilsen joined keeper Brian Murphy in heading for the Fratton Park exit, after that announcement last month.

With five loanees returning to their parent clubs at the end of the campaign, Pompey currently have 23 players to call upon.

Three of those men – Matt Tubbs, Kal Naismith and Adam McGurk – are transfer-listed.

And a trio of Academy youngsters – Alex Bass, Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain and Calvin Davies – have been handed senior deals.

Pompey used 33 players in league action last term, but Cook sees his current options as enough to fight for promotion.

He said: ‘We’ve put this club in that position now. If we didn’t change the squad we’d challenge.

‘It’s good enough to challenge. Now, can we take that on? That’s the question.

‘From where we were to where we are is a great position for me as a manager.

‘So when we change bits and pieces it’s to make us better. If we do that properly we get natural progression.

‘That sees us go forward. That’s all I want as a club.’