Who Portsmouth could turn to on deadline day after missing out on Millwall's Ben Thompson

Pompey are ready to admit defeat in the pursuit of Ben Thompson, with Millwall unlikely to give a green light for the Fratton favourite to return.

In addition, the Blues have also reportedly missed out on Liverpool’s Herbie Kane, who’s instead opted to join Barnsley.

Things are currently quiet at PO4 but Kenny Jackett and Co will be working away behind the scenes to add a fresh face should one become available.

If it’s a midfielder that Pompey are still after, we take a look at five that could fit the bill before today’s 5pm deadline.

George Moncur – Luton

Someone Pompey are well aware of, having tried to sign the ex-West Ham man a couple of years ago.

Moncur has fallen out of favour at Luton this season, after managing only seven minutes of Championship football so far.

The 27-year-old has plenty of experience under his belt and helped the Hatters to League One promotion in 2018-19, having previously been at Barnsley.

Luton boss Neil Jones admitted he could allow the likes of Moncur or Ryan Tunnicliffe to depart, after signing Wales international Joe Morrell.

Leicester's Kieran Dewsbury-Hall has also been linked with a move to Kenilworth Road.

Conor Coventry - West Ham

Hammers coach Stuart Pearce would likely tell Coventry to pack his bag and get to Fratton Park as soon as possible if Pompey were interested.

Coventry was just hitting his stride while on loan at Lincoln during the second half of last season before the Covid-19 crisis curtailed the campaign.

The 20-year-old was named on the bench for West Ham when the Premier League restarted but has found himself out of favour this term.

Coventry, a Republic of Ireland under-21 international, is a tough tackler, has a good range of passing and is willing to get forward.

He’s scored in both EFL Trophy games for the Hammers’ under-21s this term and would be exempt from salary cap restrictions.

Max Sanders - Brighton

Pompey have built up a decent relationship with Brighton over the past few years, having played three pre-season friendlies against the Premier League side.

Sanders still looks a way off Graham Potter's first team, but is surely beyond under-23s football at this stage of his career.

The 21-year-old had an impressive loan spell at AFC Wimbledon last season, scoring one goal in 22 appearances.

A switch to Fratton Park would be a step up from the Wombles, while it would suit the Horsham-born midfielder geographically.

Kenny Dougall – free agent

Pompey were highly keen to land Cameron McGeehan on a permanent place earlier this summer before he joined Belgian outfit KV Oostende.

But his former Barnley team-mate, Dougall, is available after being released from Oakwell in June.

It's interesting that when the Tykes were promoted in 2018-19, Dougall started the season ahead of McGeehan in the pecking order before suffering an injury against Shrewsbury in the October.

He's previously represented for Sparta Rotterdam so has experience playing on the continent and could add something different.

Andrew Surman – free agent

It'd be a longshot to land the former Premier League midfielder and at the age of 34 doesn’t fit Pompey’s usual recruitment strategy.

But given the Blues' interest in Charlie Mulgrew earlier this summer, perhaps they would be willing to bring in a player who'd undoubtedly add quality no matter their age.

Surman has been training with Luton of late after being released by AFC Bournemouth, although boss Jones admitted there is 'nothing concrete' in him joining the club.

And after adding Morrell and reportedly being close to Dewsbury-Hall, he might not be guaranteed regular minutes at the Hatters.

Remaining on the south coast would likely suit Surman and the promise of being a first-team regular could tempt.

He was playing in the top flight only last season and would add a bit of class, although may not be cheap.