After another high turnover of players in the summer, the last thing Pompey will want in January is a similarly busy transfer window.
But with the Blues once again finding themselves looking over their shoulders at the threat of Championship relegation, they might not have have any other choice!
The return of Pompey’s current walking wounded in the weeks ahead might take the temperature down on the need for sweeping changes. Indeed, 10 players sat out Saturday’s defeat at Hull through either injury or illness.
But their much-needed returns won’t stop head coach John Mousinho and the club’s recruitment team heading into January wanting new additions to bolster the Blues’s chances of remaining a Championship side.
To do this, though, Pompey will likely need to say goodbye to some of those currently in their first-team ranks who they believe aren’t able to cut it at this moment in time in the second tier.
Harsh, I know, but such departures would also provide an opportunity to free up extra cash, which is always helpful when clubs are faced with inflated prices in the new year.
But who, realistically, could find themselves heading through the Fratton Park exit door come January?
We’ve had a look through the current Pompey ranks and identified 8 players who could be deemed surplus to requirements over the second half of the season.
For your next Pompey read: Fratton faithful have their say: Where blame lies for Portsmouth's struggling Championship form
1. Jordan Archer
The 32-year-old keeper has featured just three times for Pompey following his free transfer move in the summer of 2024. Last summer's arrival of Josef Bursik, along with the fresh contract handed to Ben Killip, meant the former Millwall stopper was pushed down to fourth choice and not even included in the Blues' 25-man squad for the first half of the season. The News has already revealed this month that Archer heads the list of potential exits away from the club in January. | National World Photo: Jason Brown
2. Makenzie Kirk
At this moment in the January transfer window, Pompey need to reinforce their striking options, not deplete them. When, as expected they do, though, there's an argument that the inexperienced Kirk would benefit from a loan away in order to bridge the gap from the Scottish Championship where he was previously operating to the English equivalent. That viewpoint has been reinforced in recent weeks as he struggles to adapt to the physicality of the division when stading in for the injured Colby Bishop. Thomas Waddingham's return from injury will also likely push Kirk down the pecking order. Photo: Graham Hunt
3. Florian Bianchini
It's fair to say the on-loan Swansea forward hasn't set the world alight at Fratton Park. His 11 appearances to date have produced just one assist as he's proven to be a major letdown. The Frenchman has missed Pompey's past seven games because of a knee injury. But even when fit, he remained an unused substitute against Bristol City on November 29 when the Blues were in desperate need of an equaliser. Just like Middlesbrough loanee Sammy Silvera last season, it would come as no surprise to see Bianchini return to Swansea as Pompey attempt a reshuffle of their current ranks in order to secure their Championship survival for another season. | Iconic Media Photo: Alun Roberts
4. Luke Le Roux
The South African's Fratton Park stint could prove to be a shortllived affair. The midfielder has been used only eight times in the league so far and appears to be a last-resort option when he is called upon. He started the game against Bristol City with Pompey without Marlon Pack and Mark Kosznovszky. But just like his last start against Hull on November 11, Le Roux was hauled off at half-time. He played no part in the nine Pompey games played in between and is surely at risk of the axe as Pompey desperately need to improve their midfield options. | Graham Hunt/ProSportsImages