Pompey will this week step up the process of deciding which of their current soon-to-be out-of-contract players will remain at Fratton Park next season and be part of their Championship plans.
The club did not want to start the job of talking to players while their promotion and title hopes remained in the balance. But with a place in the second tier now secured, that part of proeccedings can now begin.
In total 14 members of the Blues’ title-winning squad and first-team operations are sitting nervously waiting to hear the club’s plans for them, with deals set to expire at the end of June.
Some tough decisions need to be made and, no doubt, some will leave PO4 disappointed that their time at the club has come to an end.
But whose futures are on the line? Here’s a reminder of the players currently in the final weeks of their existing Fratton Park deals.
Note: the figure does no include loanees who have spent the season at the club.
In total 14 members of the Blues’ title-winning squad and first-team operations are sitting nervously waiting to hear the club’s plans for them, with deals set to expire at the end of June.
![The right-back has made 44 appearances for Pompey following his move from Arsenal in the summer of 2022. The 23-year-old has spent the majority of that time as Joe Rafferty's back-up, but John Mousinho proved often enough this season that he wasn't afraid to freshen up his defence and rotate his right-sided full-back. Indeed, following his return from injury, Swanson has featured in five of Pompey's past eight games. The Blues have an option on the defender.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/04/01/9/12/GettyImages-1240850367.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
5. Zak Swanson
The right-back has made 44 appearances for Pompey following his move from Arsenal in the summer of 2022. The 23-year-old has spent the majority of that time as Joe Rafferty's back-up, but John Mousinho proved often enough this season that he wasn't afraid to freshen up his defence and rotate his right-sided full-back. Indeed, following his return from injury, Swanson has featured in five of Pompey's past eight games. The Blues have an option on the defender. | Getty Images
![The former Barnsley and Norwich winger signed a short-term deal with the Blues in November following a successful trial. It was then renewed in January until the end of the season. The 22-year-old has made nine appearances for Pompey, two of which came as league starts. Martin has not played, though, since a two-minute cameo appearance as a sub against Oxford at the beginning of March. The winger has also been absent from the past eight Pompey match-day squads.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/02/13/11/00/Josh%20Martin.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
6. Josh Martin
The former Barnsley and Norwich winger signed a short-term deal with the Blues in November following a successful trial. It was then renewed in January until the end of the season. The 22-year-old has made nine appearances for Pompey, two of which came as league starts. Martin has not played, though, since a two-minute cameo appearance as a sub against Oxford at the beginning of March. The winger has also been absent from the past eight Pompey match-day squads. | National World
7. Marlon Pack
The club captain fulfilled a lifelong ambition when he lifted the league championship trophy for boyhood club Pompey on Saturday. It was just reward for his sterling performances and leadership over the course of the season - qualities that saw Pack secure a clean sweep of the numerous player of the year awards that were up for grabs. The 33-year-old featured 38 times in the league this season, scoring three times and recording nine assists. A player with huge Championship experience, his presence was essential during the run-in. | Jason Brown/ProSportsImages
8. Ryan Schofield
The keeper has featured six times for Pompey this season following his free transfer move from Huddersfield in the summer. All six have come in various cup competitions, though, while the 24-year-old dropped to third in the pecking order following Matt Macey's January arrival. | Jason Brown/ProSportsImages