Lalkovic to be present as Pompey make training return

The winger is to complete his anticipated switch to Pompey following a summer exit from Walsall.

And he will be present at this morning’s training return as Paul Cook’s squad begin their pre-season regime.

The Blues’ next assault on League Two promotion will kick off at their Hilsea training ground, opening with gym work.

All six summer recruits to date are anticipated to be present, with Lalkovic the latest arrival into Cook’s revamped squad.

Matt Clarke, Danny Rose, Carl Baker, Drew Talbot and Michael Smith have also been added during the close season.

Lalkovic is a skilful winger who will provide increased attacking options to Pompey as they seek to eke out more goals.

He made 51 appearances and scored eight times as the Saddlers reached the League One play-offs last term.

The 23-year-old is a former Slovakia under-21 international and a product of Chelsea’s Academy.

Lalkovic’s career has already taken him to the top flights of Holland (Den Haag), Portugal (Guimaraes) and the Czech Republic (Mlada Boleslav).

Now, following only a season at Walsall, he has turned down a new deal to make the move to the south coast.

Transfer-listed trio Matt Tubbs, Adam McGurk and Kal Naismith are also expected to be present for today’s return to training.

However, Gareth Evans is out injured, while out-of-contract Danny Hollands is also sidelined.

Calvin Davies, Paul Jones and Alex Bass are closing in on coming back from last season’s injuries.