Six on Pompey wanted list

Portsmouth could sign as many as six new players before the start of next season as they set about building another successful survival platform in the Premiership.

New manager Alain Perrin insists he will not rest easy until at least one more point is secured to guarantee top-flight status for a third successive term, but the Frenchman wants a squad of 25 players for the next campaign.

He will not admit it publicly, but Perrin is probably already resigned to losing £7million-rated striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu and midfielder Patrik Berger, the latter whose contract ends in June.

But he will want challengers for all positions in the side and Pompey have already been linked with Chelsea striker Mikael Forssell and midfield trio Leon Osman (Everton), Steve Sidwell (Reading) and Michael Tonge (Sheffield United).

The manager met with chairman Milan Mandaric, executive director Velimir Zajec and chief executive Peter Storrie for around three hours this week to start planning their summer's work on the squad.

Zajec has started scouting around the country and Europe for new talent, although Pompey are keeping the names of potential targets under wraps.
Zajec was believed to be in Italy last week to watch Fiorentina's 1-1 draw with Messina in Serie A.

Mandaric said: "Because we have still been paying part of the wages of players who we have let go, people like Eyal Berkovic and Harald Wapenaar, we have had to work with a squad of 19 this season.

"But as those arrangements come to an end or we pay people off, Alain would like to have a squad of 22 outfield players and three goalkeepers.

"In addition, three or four young players, who could be part of our existing youth squad or could be brought in, would be part of that squad."

Mandaric's words suggest young prospects like reserve striker James Keene, or even loaned-out defenders Rowan Vine (Luton) and Richard Duffy (Coventry) could be closely involved in next season's first-team campaign.

Pompey have been told Berger's ankle injury, suffered in the win over Southampton last Sunday, is only bad bruising rather than the bone fracture originally feared.

But he and Lomana LuaLua, who aggravated a hamstring strain, are both doubtful for Saturday's visit to Manchester City.