Portsmouth's current strongest starting XI following departures of 13 players and the strengths and weakness it highlights: gallery

It mean’s 13 players will have now departed the club since their final day of the season draw against Wycombe less than a week ago, with this term’s five loanees now back with their respective parent clubs.

Left behind are 17 contracted players – including Toby Steward, Haji Mnoga and Liam Vincent – who form the basis of Pompey’s squad ahead of another summer of recruitment.

That represents good foundations on which to build and shows the Blues are in a better position today than they have been in previous years retained lists have been released.

It could still be enhanced, too, with Pompey still in talks with Jay Mingi and Ronan Curtis about their futures. However, that figure could easily go down as well, with the Blues open to offers for both Denver Hume and Reeco Hackett. There’s speculation, too, that Colby Bishop couid attract interest.

It will be interesting to see how the first-team squad takes shape once the transfer window reopens on June 10 and what twists and turns lie ahead.

In the meantime, though, we’ve taken a look at what Pompey’s strongest XI would be now based on those players who remain at Fratton Park and whether that provides an insight into what to expect on the recruitment front going forward.