Cotterill won't swoop for Vega

Pompey will not be making a move for Fernando Vega.

Steve Cotterill has been running the rule over the Spanish left-back after his release from Real Betis.

But Cotterill does not see him as the man to give him the extra strength in the left-back position he’s looking for.

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Vega appeared in last week’s friendly win over FC Rostov at Fratton Park.

The 27-year-old, who made 115 appearances in five years at Betis, delivered a steady performance in the 2-0 win.

It wasn’t enough to convince Cotterill he was right for the Championship, though, after he spent a couple of days training with the Pompey first team at Eastleigh.

Cotterill said: ‘He just came in for a couple of days’ training and we had a look.

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‘He got released by Real Betis and it was just a chance for us to have a look at him.’

Meanwhile, Cotterill has welcomed Luke Varney back into the fray for this weekend’s clash with Barnsley.

Varney has been serving a three-game ban following his dismissal at Hull last month.

Cotterill believes Pompey have been missing the £750,000 summer recruit’s pace and energy.

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He feels his return will provide a welcome boost going into a game the Blues are desperate to win this Saturday tea-time.

Cotterill said: ‘We know about his pace and we’ve missed not having him around.

‘With those three games in eight days, we could have done with his legs.

‘It’s gruelling and that’s what we found in that first half at Leeds.

‘We couldn’t get going again and it took us until the second half to do that against Rostov.’