Portsmouth CEO Mark Catlin hopes 'quality' double act will arrive before Shrewsbury league opener

Although, the Blues chief executive reiterated deals will not be rushed through with the transfer window remaining open until October 16.

Pompey have adopted a patient approach throughout the summer as they look to attract new recruits.

The Blues brought in Cameron Pring on a season-long loan from Bristol City earlier this week – the first fresh fresh to arrive at PO4 in this window.

That's after former Norwich loanee Sean Raggett agreed on a permanent stay and Lee Brown put pen to paper on a new contract earlier in the summer.

Along with the coronavirus outbreak, the passing of a salary cap – with League One clubs forced to operate to a £2.5m playing budget and squads limited to 22 players over the age of 21 – has further hindered Pompey’s recruitment drive.

However, Catlin revealed work on new recruits continues to take place behind the scenes.

And he was hopeful two could be in place by the time Pompey begin league matters on Saturday, September 12.

Speaking at the BBC Radio Solent Pompey Fans' Forum, Catlin said: ‘We’ve brought Sean in permanently, obviously Lee and now Cameron Pring.

‘We’re looking to make a couple more what I would call quality additions to the squad.

‘Hopefully before the league season starts, but the window does go on beyond that.

‘There are at least two we’re looking to bring in and I think we’ll add that.

‘We’re still going to make some quality additions along the way.’

Catlin stressed there is no need for wholesale summer changes at the club.

He believes the fact the Blues have managed to keep the nucleus of last season's squad together is a bonus.

Now Catlin is hoping that continuity can give Pompey the platform to start the season strongly.

He added: ‘The art’s not just bringing players in where I think we can improve, but also to keep the nucleus of the squad that did that (went close last season) anyway.

‘If you look at it, you always look back and talk about learning.

‘There were a lot of changes at the start of last season where our form was indifferent for the first eight or 10 games.

‘It’s very small margins.

‘I think from those early games, we went on and had good form.

‘I’m hoping that consistency will carry through.’