The Pompey boss has brought in eight players to date, but more work is still required ahead of the August 31 transfer deadline.
Cowley has indicated there’s a small pool of Championship players who are out of contract that he could still go for.
But the 42-year-old explained he is competing with Pompey’s League One rivals for those men, with sides expected to be in contention next term looking at the same pool of talent.
We’ve looked at some of the men who have been operating in the second tier, who are now free agents and could fit the bill for Pompey moving forward.
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13. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing
Former Pompey loanee left Middlesbrough after signing a short-term deal and is without a club Photo: SCC
14. Joe Bennett
Left-back is on the lookout for a club and training with Cardiff, despite being released by the Bluebirds Photo: Steve Ellis