DETAILED: How Portsmouth are shuffling squad numbers to meet strict Football League rules

As it stands, the Blues have 20 senior players – plus a left-back expected to be finalised before Saturday.

Once that is sealed, Kenny Jackett will be permitted to sign one more player, in accordance with league regulations.

As Harvey White is aged 19, he is not counted towards the 22-player ceiling that clubs outside the Championship must abide by.

That also applies to Haji Mnoga, who has made seven appearances this term, including a maiden Football League start.

Ahead of the current transfer window, the Blues had reached the maximum number of 22, with Jordy Hiwula allocated the final spot in October.

However, three places have since been created by the departures of Cam Pring and Bryn Morris, while Reeco Hackett-Fairchild made the switch to Southend.

One of those spaces has gone to Duncan Turnbull, who has been registered following the calf injury which has sidelined Alex Bass for up to a month.

Now, effectively, two spots are remaining.

Jackett said: ‘We are pretty strong in midfield following Harvey’s arrival, to be honest with you.

‘Harvey is aged 19, so outside of the salary cap. We would have, by my estimation, two places to go to the maximum.

‘We have two places to strengthen within the next two weeks.

‘It very much depends on where we want to strengthen, but also what type of players come up.’

Pompey do not have to register their 22-man squad with the Football League until after the January transfer window.

Anyone not included still comes under the salary cap – and terms of their contract would continue to be fulfilled.

As it stands, Jackett has three goalkeepers, seven defenders, seven midfielders and three strikers, totalling a 20-man squad.

In addition, there are White and Mnoga.

Whether he wants to continue with keepers Craig MacGillivray, Bass and Turnbull taking three spots remains to be seen, particularly when Bass returns from injury.

However, the likelihood is Bass will make his comeback after the squad list is lodged, with Paul Downing (hamstring) in the same situation.

Pompey’s 20-man squad: Bass, MacGillivray, Turnbull, Bolton, Downing, Whatmough, Brown, Raggett, Johnson, Nicolaisen, Close, Naylor, Williams, Harness, Curtis, Cannon, Jacobs, Harrison, Marquis, Hiwula.

Players not included for registration purposes: White, Mnoga, Bell, Stanley, Kavanagh, Jewitt-White, Bridgman, Lee.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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