Pompey well stocked ahead of transfer deadline - but cover is lacking in one position

WhatsApp notifications will be pinging as Pompey fans give their verdict on who they’d like to stay or depart before tonight’s 11pm cut-off point.

But evidence suggests we’re set for a subdued January transfer deadline day at Fratton Park.

Minimal activity is expected, with Kenny Jackett clearly happy with the squad he’s assembled for the remainder of this season’s League One promotion push.

In truth, it shouldn’t be too surprising.

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Following the previous two unsuccessful mid-term windows, last summer’s recruitment was aimed at ensuring the Blues didn’t fall victim of the January pitfalls for a third successive season.

Pompey got their business done early this month, with Steve Seddon and Cameron McGeehan arriving on loan from Birmingham and Barnsley respectively, while Reeco Hackett-Fairchild joined for an undisclosed fee from Bromley.

As we zero in on tonight’s deadline, Jackett clearly believes he’s assembled a squad capable of challenging for League One promotion.

Against the backdrop of the Blues winning their past seven games in all competitions, and losing just twice in 22 outings, there’s growing sentiment among the Fratton faithful that a Championship return can be enjoyed.

The squad for Tuesday night’s 2-0 win at Lincoln underlined the strength in depth among Jackett's ranks.

The boss could afford to leave Brett Pitman, Oli Hawkins, Brandon Haunstrup, Paul Downing and Hackett-Fairchid on the south coast, with Gareth Evans having to take up the role of 19th man at Sincil Bank.

Bryn Morris is the solitary player in the treatment room and even he's progressing well from a perennial abdomen problem.

Competition for places is fierce and every department well stocked.

The one role you can argue lacks cover, however, is defensive midfield.

There’s no obvious replacement for Tom Naylor in the unwanted circumstance of a long-term injury.

If Pompey were without the captain’s battling qualities for a sustained period, it would threaten to put the skids on the burgeoning recent progress they’ve made.

When Naylor was sidelined with a hamstring complaint earlier in the campaign, it was Anton Walkes who deputised.

The former Tottenham man helped the Blues win all four games shielding the back four in the ex-Burton man’s absent.

Yet Walkes was given the green light to join Atlanta United earlier this month, returning Stateside following a loan spell in 2017 to be with his partner and daughter.

Should Naylor be unavailable again, it’d likely be Ross McCrorie who’d be tasked with filling the void.

But despite arriving as a midfielder with a fairly lofty reputation from Rangers in the summer, his performances in the middle of the park have been met with mixed reviews so far.

When Naylor dropped to central defence at Accrington to cover the suspended Christian Burgess, McCrorie featured in the engine room.

There was a distinct lack of snap and snarl at the Wham Stadium, however, which culminated in a miserable 4-1 loss.

Then there was the curtain-raiser at Shrewsbury when McCrorie was given his marching orders on his debut.

Instead, it's been at right-back where the Scot caught the eye and that's the role he’s challenging for since returning from his hamstring complaint.

Meanwhile, Andy Cannon is currently thriving in the starting line-up – but he’s been playing in the number-10 role and his attacking energy would be missed should he be dropped deeper.

Ben Close would readily admit he's a ball player, rather than an industrious ball-winning midfielder. McGeehan the same.

So as it appears Pompey have options in most departments as the season starts to reach a crescendo, there’s presently no-one to deputise Naylor should he sustain a setback.