Meanwhile, Milan Mandaric has suggested that deals for two as yet unnamed players may be completed before the transfer window closes on the 31st. He told the official website: "I have given Harry the green light to go after two quality players who will be great additions to the team".
That will take the number of new arrivals at Portsmouth to eleven - enough to ensure real strength in depth as they look to build on their opening day win when they become the first team to travel to the City of Manchester Stadium for a league fixture. It is believed that the new players will be a left-back and a striker to cover for crocked star Svetislav Todorov. Sunderland's Marcus Stewart has recently been linked with a move south.