Whiffs of déjà vu as Portsmouth are desperate to avoid January repeat

The feeling associated with Ben Thompson’s return to Millwall midway through the 2018-19 season, when League One promotion looked a certainty, is still raw.

And after Cam Pring was recalled by Bristol City on Sunday evening, it’s understandable why supporters felt a cold chill of January past down their spine.

There are some fears this could be the start of another mini-exodus, which ultimately jettisoned a concerted Championship bid two years ago.

Granted, there’s no risk of losing a lynchpin like Thompson again.

Tom Naylor and Andy Cannon are both tied down until the summerand won't be going anywhere.

Yet Jordy Hiwula and Rasmus Nicolaisen’s futures aren’t crystal clear – which is reminiscent of the situations Andre Green, David Wheeler and, to an extent, Joe Mason found themselves in the same campaign.

Mason played only once in the league and returned to Wolves when his deal expired.

While he hardly had a chance to showcase his ability, manager Kenny Jackett admitted he'd have slept easier had the former Cardiff forward extended his stay.

Meanwhile, Green and Wheeler were forced to play second fiddle to Ronan Curtis and Jamal Lowe for much of their time at PO4.

The flying wingers were rampant in a starting XI that pretty much picked itself and was hurtling towards the second tier.

As a consequence, the loan pair – from Aston Villa and QPR respectively – were confined to bit-part roles and also eventually ended back to their parent clubs.

While they had nowhere near the influence Thompson had on the team, Green and Wheeler’s departures, in hindsight, hindered the Blues' promotion aspirations, too.

Both had been coming off the bench and featuring in cup competitions, knew what was expected of them in Jackett's set-up and settled into the squad.

Instead, Pompey had to recruit fresh faces who’d scarcely been playing.

Indeed, Lloyd Isgrove will infamously be remembered for not registering a single minute of football and made the bench only twice. He went back to Barnsley before the play-offs.

The least said about James Vaughan, the better!

And while there was plenty of optimism when Viv Solomon-Otabor arrived in the 11th hour from Birmingham, he couldn't make the sort of impression required. That offside goal still sticks out.

And as Curtis and Lowe began to wilt as a long season caught up with them, no-one stepped up to take the baton further.

This campaign, Jackett will be desperate to avoid such a repeat.

Pring's departure means a new left-back now must be recruited, taking away some of Pompey’s focus on bringing in a centre-midfielder.

In addition, Hiwula's future hangs in the balance, with his contract up on January 20.

The striker has played only twice in the league and may opt for elsewhere with the promise of a more prominent role and a longer deal. He’s a reported target for Swindon.

And while Jackett's fairly upbeat Rasmus Nicolaisen will remain at PO4, the centre-back could well change his mind.

He's also lacked the minutes he wanted when arriving from FC Midtjylland.

Should Hiwula and Nicolaisen leave, that'll mean two more fresh faces having to be unearthed, adjust to their new surroundings and get to know the way Pompey play.

The likelihood is they’d have been fringe players during the first half of the season and short of match fitness.

The Blues’ latest Championship charge is finely poised, but belief this can finally be the year is ever-growing.

The last thing they need is more unwanted exits.