Portsmouth transfer news: Danny Cowley reveals key objective for January transfer window as speculation mounts

And the plan is simple, as far as the Pompey boss is concerned.

Indeed, the sole objective is to exit the window stronger than when the Blues entered it.

The current build-up to next month has centred mostly on Fratton Park exits, with doubts emerging over the loans of Owen Dale, Joe Pigott, Josh Koroma and Dane Scarlett.

Captain Clark Robertson has been linked with a move to Derby – something that Cowley has already dismissed – while Mansfield are keen on Kieron Freeman.

Then there’s the latest development, with the head coach admitting the club would loathe to let Ronan Curtis leave as a free agent next summer, keeping the door ajar for a potential January departure.

In terms of potential incomings, it’s possible Cowley will look to bolster his centre-forward options, irrespective of what happens to both Scarlett and Pigott.

A creative attacking midfielder could also be pursued as Pompey look to improve their inventiveness in front of goal.

But whatever they eventually do in January, one thing is clear – the ambition is to see the Blues be better equipped to maintain a sustained promotion push from February onwards.

When asked by The News for an update on Dale’s future, Cowley responded: ‘I don’t think you want to lose any of your players in January, if you can help it – certainly not the ones who have been key to the success up to today.

‘Owen has started the majority of games, and rightly so.

‘And our ambition, January, is to try to get better.

‘And the easiest way to get better is by keeping your best players and adding to the group.’

Pompey are currently eighth in League One heading into the festive fixtures, with games in hand on all teams currently above them in the table.

Their recent form has been hampered by injuries to key players and unavailability.

However, both Louis Thompson and Tom Lowery are nearing Christmas returns, Michael Jacobs is back and in contention to start games, while Joe Morrell is also available following his World Cup commitments with Wales.