D-Day with Portsmouth set to confirm latest picture over Colby Bishop’s return following heart surgery

That’s with the imminent publication of their squad list bringing more clarity over the timescale for the striker’s comeback from heart surgery.

And the situation over what lies ahead for Tom Lowery and Ben Stevenson will also become clear, with the duo not anticipated to make the 25-man group which the Blues have now submitted to the EFL.

Bishop is on the road to recovery following successful surgery last month after pre-season cardiac screening discovered a ‘potential risk’ to the 27-year-old, with the issue coming to light thanks to mandatory testing.

Pompey are understandably reticent to put a time frame on the Magic Man’s return to the first-team picture, given the serious nature of such an issue.

But whether Bishop is on or out of the squad list will bring confirmation of the pathway for the striker, given the rules surrounding the process.

With Pompey and all of the 72 EFL clubs required to submit their squad lists shortly after the window closes, only the players named are permitted to turn out for their respective clubs.

And that will remain the case until January, when the winter window provides the next opportunity for that group to be amended.

With the latest window closing at 11pm on a Friday night, there was some leeway afforded the ruling the squads have to be submitted within 24 hours of it closing.

But EFL rules state they will publish all squad lists and players eligible to appear in league matches ‘within seven days of the closing of a transfer window’.

That cut-off point arrives today, guaranteeing some news imminently over who is in and out of Pompey’s squad.

Some clubs like Championship rivals Luton have taken the initiative and published their squad list already, with the Hatters choosing to fill 23 of their 25 available spots.

As part of EFL squad rules, there are number of other hoops for clubs to jump through.

That includes eight of the 25 players needing to be ‘home-grown’ - meaning a player associated with the English or Welsh FA for at least three years before the age of 21.

Furthermore at least one player has to be ‘club developed’, such as Marlon Pack or Matt Ritchie in Pompey’s case.

Under-21 players do not count towards the squad total, though loan players brought in who fall in that category will count towards the 25.