Portsmouth target another goalkeeping arrival as ex-Bournemouth man trains with Blues

Jordan Archer will challenge Will Norris for a first-team spot next season following his free transfer arrival from QPR.

However, with the summer departures of Ryan Schofield and Matt Macey, and Toby Steward earmarked for another loan spell, the Blues believe they are still short in that area.

Norris, Archer and Steward have been joined by Cam Plain during pre-season, with the 22-year-old also present at their Croatian training camp.

The former Bournemouth keeper is a protege of goalkeeping coach Joe Prodomo from his time in the Cherries’ Academy and is currently a free agent.

He had been at Dean Court since 2018 and, although training with the first-team on occasions, never featured for them and was released in the summer.

It’s a reciprocal arrangement, with Plain helping to bolster a four-strong goalkeeping group during pre-season, while keeping himself fit in training for other career alternatives.

That leaves Norris and Archer battling it out for the first-team, with Toby Steward to be loaned out at National League South level as his development continues at great pace.

The Gosport fans’ 2023-24 Player Of The Season is now ready to step up a level and has unsurprisingly attracted loan interest, with the Blues currently finalising his next destination.

The 19-year-old has also had spells at Bognor and Salisbury and remains extremely highly-regarded at Fratton Park, hence signing a new two-year deal in April.

Regardless, the Blues are scouring the market for a third-choice keeper, having already brought in five new faces to Fratton Park this summer.

They also remain in the market for a number of other positions ahead of the August 10 Championship kick-off.