Exits needed for Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley to land all his January transfer targets

But it’s understood a one in, one out policy will NOT be the way the Blues approach the forthcoming window, which opens on New Year’s Day.

Cowley revealed to The News on Thursday that his January plans are ‘going well’, with a pacey, powerful forward on his radar along with someone who is a natural with set-pieces.

The Pompey boss didn’t give specifics on the number of new players he feels will make his side stronger when the window closes.

Yet in order for him to get exactly what he wants, he admitted departures will be necessary.

As the countdown to January begins, Clark Robertson and Kieron Freeman have been linked with Derby and Mansfield respectively.

Cowley admitted the club would loathe to lose Ronan Curtis for nothing as he heads into the final six months of his contract – one of 10 permanent members of the current first-team set-up in that position.

Meanwhile, doubts remain over the current loan arrangements the Blues have with Joe Pigott, Josh Koroma and Owen Dale’s parent clubs.

As a result, there’s scope for Cowley to get the necessary movement he needs to fulfil his January ambitions.

However, not all those entering the final months of their contracts face uncertain futures, with the club having options on several existing deals.

When asked if he could specify how many signings Pompey would ideally like make next month, Cowley said: ‘We know exactly what we need and what we want.

‘But to get exactly what we need and what we want, there’s always going to be a need for probably one or two to go the other way because you always want to work with a balanced group and really competitive group.

‘In terms of the current players we have, we’re in quite a good position with them in terms of the contract situation.

‘There’s not too many going out of contract and the ones that are, the majority have club options, which no doubt we will take up.

So, yeah, we know what we’d like.’

When asked if that need to see departures subsequently also meant waiting for arrivals to come in, the Blues head coach added: ‘I think we’re pretty open-minded.

‘I think we’re clear on what we need to do to try to improve and the owners have always been support supportive.’