Portsmouth shift transfer focus to new area after slow start to the season

The middle of the park has been identified as an area which needs strengthening after the Blues’ poor start to the season.

Jackett is looking for extra creativity in the central area, with his belief that’s been lacking in the 2020-21 season to date.

Pompey currently have two spaces available in their squad for players over the age of 21.

And there’s still some space in the £2.5m budget the club are working to, following the wage cap and squad restrictions being voted in by lower league outfits in August.

Extra room was created by Gareth Evans departing for Bradford City last week, after his contract was cancelled.

It now looks as if that will be redistributed to the centre of midfield, with Jackett not satisfied with how Tom Naylor and Bryn Morris have linked up to date.

Ben Close is the Pompey boss’ other out-and-out option in that area, with Andy Cannon able to operate there despite largely being used further forward in Jackett’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.

Despite working to a limit of 22 over-age players, clubs are able to recruit an unlimited number of players under that threshold.

That leaves the door open to taking players on loan from a higher division, an avenue Pompey have previously stated they’re looking to explore.

The club have so far recruited four new faces this summer, in addition to landing Sean Raggett on a permanent deal.

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