James Bolton has own Portsmouth ambitions as he gets set for battle with Accrington arrival Callum Johnson

The defender is aiming to up his appearance ratio this season, after racking up 34 outings last term following his move from Shrewsbury on a three-year deal.

The Blues will today announce the arrival of Callum Johnson from Accrington for a fee believed to be in the region of £200,000.

Johnson will vie with Bolton for a right-back starting spot, with emerging youngster Haji Mnoga also competing for a position there.

Bolton will know Johnson is coming to play as he makes his move south, but after overcoming injury problems at the start of the season and Ross McCrorie’s challenge he has his own intentions when it comes to game time.

Speaking before news of Johnson’s arrival emerged, he said: ‘I was fairly pleased with my return of games last season considering it was stop-start and I was in and out.

‘I think you’re looking at about that many games as your base to think you’ve played enough.

‘In the circumstances I was pleased with that amount, if I’m honest, and now that’s something I want to build on moving forward.’

It was Bolton’s former Shrewsbury team-mate Shaun Whalley who dished out the ankle injury which disrupted the Stoke trainee’s season after his arrival.

There was some initial frustration from the 26-year-old at that occurring, but there’s no lingering bad blood between the pair.

Bolton added: ‘I had a whack on my ankle and a little bit with my groin in pre-season so I was playing catch-up a bit.

‘It wasn’t the greatest start, to be honest.

‘It was Shaun who gave me a good whack after only being on for five minutes.‘I couldn’t believe he did that to me, but it happens. We’re all good now.’

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