Five stars: the best potential free agents that could fit the bill for Portsmouth

The News put together 16 players from each of the Championship, League One and League Two whose deals are set to expire at the end of the campaign.

Now we've narrowed down those 48 names to just five.

It was a difficult challenge given the array of talent Kenny Jackett could try to snap up for absolutely nothing in a few months’ time.

To cut down the list, we took into account the areas of the Blues boss’ squad that may need bolstering ahead of 2020-21.

We've also factored in the sort of player Jackett has signed or tried to sign during past recruitment drives.

Callum Camps – Rochdale

Jackett often talks about recruiting players whose careers he feels are ready to move to a club that's deemed a step up.

Camps would fit that bill, as he would go from an often sparsely-populated Spotland to a sold-out Fratton Park every other week.

Despite only being 24, the Dale academy graduate has almost 240 Football League appearances under his belt.

Surveying Camps’ heat map, it highlights he's an all-action central midfielder with the ability to do a bit of everything.

With eight goals and five assists to his name this term, he'd be the sufficient replacement should Pompey be unable to sign Cameron McGeehan on a permanent basis.

Scott Fraser - Burton

Despite zeroing in on three years as boss, one position Jackett’s never quite got right is the number-10 role.

Andy Cannon has recently been performing superbly in the position, with his high-octane approach gaining plenty of plaudits.

More goals and assists, however, is what the former Rochdale man needs to add to his game.

A quintessential attacking midfielder, at the fulcrum of forays forward, has consistently eluded the Blues boss.

Fraser, however, could be an answer to the problem.

The Scot has been Burton’s talisman this campaign, impressively registering nine goals and 13 assists in all competitions.

Fraser may feel it's time for a fresh challenge after two years with the Brewers and would add a fresh dimension to Pompey's options.

CJ Hamilton – Mansfield

Pace and power are the attributes that Jackett is constantly on the lookout for.

Not that the Pompey boss won’t know who Hamilton is, mind you, given his extensive knowledge of every player in the Football League.

Nevertheless, if Hamilton is available on a freebie then Jackett could see it as an opportunity too good to pass up.

The former Sheffield United man is blessed in versatility, being able to operate as a winger, wing-back or striker.

There was interest in him from clubs last summer on the back of netting 14 times in the Stags' failed League Two play-off bid.

With 18th-placed Mansfield preparing for another campaign in the fourth tier, surely the 25-year-old will be ready for pastures new.

Callum Johnson – Accrington

Should Ross McCrorie return to Rangers as planned, it will leave James Bolton as the Blues’ only senior right-back option.

If Pompey are looking for a player of similar ilk as McCrorie, then Johnson seems an ideal replacement.

Last season, the former Middlesbrough man whipped in 171 crosses – the sixth highest in League One.

He only ranks 20th in that category this term, but is still ahead of counterparts such as Oxford’s Josh Ruffles, Ipswich’s Luke Garbutt and Peterborough’s Dan Butler - all of whom are playing for promotion-chasing sides.

Johnson's stats when required to defend also underline his quality, winning the second-most defensive duels (338) in the division.

Aged 23, he’d also have a sell-on value.

Naby Sarr – Charlton

Lee Bowyer understandably wants to extend Sarr's stay at The Valley.

But given the raft of off-the-field problems at Charlton, the centre-back could look for a move elsewhere.

Sean Raggett’s Pompey loan deal is due to come to a close and with Paul Downing firmly out of favour, Jackett will need to bolster his central-defensive options.

Sarr played a key role when the Addicks were promoted into the Championship last term and has continued to be regular this time around when fit.

The added bonus the Blues would get is he's a natural left-footer – a quality Jackett did covet during the January transfer window.

Pompey may need to be in the second tier to secure his signature, though.

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