Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett reveals transfer policy for rest of window after getting green light to carry on spending

The Blues boss has outlined his transfer policy for the rest of the window, after landing Callum Johnson from Accrington for a mooted fee of £200,000.

Johnson’s permanent stay follows Cameron Pring’s loan arrival last week, as Jackett’s squad takes shape.

Pompey have also been linked with Bristol City’s Sammie Szmodics and Stoke’s Harry Souttar, with spots for three players over the age of 21 set to be available under the new salary and wage cap rules.

Jackett explained he’s in no rush to fill those positions - but will be ready to swoop as and when the right quality additions become available.

He said: ‘Where do I find the market? A lot of the players coming out of the Championship in League One will be coming out later in the window than earlier, definitely.

‘But if one comes up like Callum Johnson who you feel is a player who can help us and the timing is right, then I do think we need be able to move and take that player.

‘Obviously, that one came around really quickly and we were pleased to add him.

‘We will be able to spend again, too, not massively high but we can still pay transfer fees, yes.

‘If we register two keepers we’ll have two spaces left. Then you can add after if you take players under 21.

‘We’ve got a well-balanced squad and we have players in every position.

‘The squad are working hard and are hungry to be successful themselves.

‘If there’s an addition or addition then great, if there’s not I’m okay with that as well.

‘There are one or two places left for us, but I don’t think it will be wholesale changes now.

‘We’ve all worked hard in pre-season. If there’s help, of course we’ll do it but it won’t be wholesale changes now.’

Jackett explained how he and his recruitment team will be keeping a close eye on team selection from clubs at a higher level, as league action starts this weekend.

He believes players left out of first teams may present themselves as transfer opportunities in the coming weeks, with both Souttar and Szmodics potentially falling in or out of that category.

Jackett added: ‘The difference has been that the Championship has been in early pre-season work, where you do tend to keep your fringe players around.

‘They’re playing in the games and the managers are having an early look at them, to see if they can do anything with them.

‘Towards the end of the window they they let then go towards the lower levels.

‘That’s the case with the Championship now and as the big kick-off comes this weekend, I think you’ll then see who’s out of the team and out of the squads.

‘It starts to crystallise and clubs from lower levels then start looking at those players.’

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