Portsmouth boss reveals transfer picture on deadline day to bring in European players

The Blues will not be recruiting any other new faces from abroad before tonight’s 11pm deadline for recruits from abroad.

That means Kenny Jackett will focus his hunt to bring in a midfielder on the domestic market.

The Pompey boss has until 5pm on October 16 to complete any other business, when the domestic window closes until January.

Jackett last month made a surprise incursion into the international market to recruit FC Midtjylland defender Rasmus Nicolaisen on loan.

But Jackett confirmed no further players will be coming from overseas.

He said: ‘There’s nothing imminent.

‘The foreign market is coming to a close, then it will be another two weeks of the domestic window being open.

‘The foreign window’s closing and it’s not one that we’re going to be adding to. Our domestic deadline is the 16th.

‘The squad is mainly set, so there’s not going to be wholesale changes.

‘Whether there will be one or two out or in, we shall see but there’s nothing imminent and the foreign window won’t be affecting us - so we’ll be working towards October 16.’

There is currently one space in Jackett’s squad for players over the age of 21, if he chooses to keep the option open of recalling Reeco Hackett-Fairchild from his loan with Bromley after 28 days.

There could be further space to work if there are more departures, with Pompey ready to listen to interest in Paul Downing.

James Bolton is another player who could possibly depart if there’s any movement for the 26-year-old, after failing to make the past three matchday squads.

Ultimately, it appears the Blues will be governed by whether clubs move for the either of the pair, or any other players on the fringes of the first-team picture.

Jackett added: ‘Obviously, we allowed a certain amount which is 22 players at 21 and over and the wage restrictions are there at £2.5m.

‘We have some room within that, but similarly feel our squad at the moment is a good one as well.’

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