Pompey: Marc McNulty still wanted by Sheffield United

Nigel Adkins has indicated he still wants Marc McNulty.

The Sheffield United boss has suggested the striker will be returning to Bramall Lane at the end of the campaign.

McNulty is on loan from the Blades for the rest of the season and has scored eight goals in 15 starts and four sub appearances.

The 23-year-old has stated he open to staying beyond that spell but Adkins has intimated he’ll be returning to Yorkshire.

He said: ‘This is his first regular starting role in English football.

‘That’s important and it’s good for his progress.

‘We were endeavouring to reduce the size of the squad and everybody should want to play. They need to be playing, in fact.

‘There’s nothing wrong with that and, if they are, it benefits everybody involved, them and us as a club as well. ‘That’s what we want, firepower. Yes, our objective this year is to get promoted but we want goalscorers at the club going forward.’