Portsmouth's powerful recruitment position amid uncertain period for English football

Pompey are primed to launch a recruitment drive despite the uncertainty English football faces.
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The Blues’ strong financial position has left them well placed to be able to strike when it comes to reshaping Kenny Jackett’s squad.

And the potential for a changing landscape in the Football League moving forward could even work out to the club’s benefit.

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It’s now been over three weeks since Pompey played their last League One fixture against Fleetwood, which preceded the suspension of the game at elite level.

That was as part of regular scheduled conference calls between the recruitment team such as head of recruitment Phil Boardman and head of European scouting Roberto Gagliardi, first-team staff, Blues board and executive members.

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Pompey are looking at the situation moving forward with eight of their current squad out of contract - and four players currently on loan.

Mark CatlinMark Catlin
Mark Catlin

But chief executive Mark Catlin believes planning for external recruitment is going to be significant with there even potential for an intense period of signings in a reshaped calendar.

Catlin said: ‘We hold regular monthly updates with our owners over potential targets.

‘It goes on for an hour-and-a-half to two hours with myself, Tony (Brown), Kenny, the board and our recruitment team.

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‘It’s a pretty extensive list on the call who go over potential targets.

‘We haven’t stopped that because of what’s happening.

‘At some point we’re going to have to sign players for the new season, whenever that may be, and we have to be on our game with that.’

Pompey’s financial health was underlined as they announced an overall profit of £2m in their most recent accounts released this week.

The Blues are keen on turning loanee Steve Seddon’s stay into a permanent deal, after impressing since joining from Birmingham.

Fellow defender Lee Brown also looks likely to stay with the club taking up a 12-month option as his existing contract comes a close this summer.

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