Major transfer claims made over Portsmouth's relegation rivals Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday

One of Portsmouth’s Championship rivals are reportedly preparing to ‘put a rocket under their squad’ during the January transfer window.

Much was expected of Sheffield United as they looked to bounce back from losing last season’s Championship play-off final against Sunderland - and the return of former boss Chris Wilder only heightened expectations. However, the Blades are currently sitting second from bottom in the table after winning just three of their 14 league games during the opening three months of the campaign.

With a home game against Queens Park Rangers lying in wait this weekend, BBC Radio Sheffield journalist Adam Oxley has made a big claim about the Blades’ plans for the January transfer window and stated the next two months could define the remainder of the season.

He told BBC Sport: “Wilder is preparing to put a rocket under his squad in January, with battle plans drawn and already with the board for multiple ins and outs, but the Blades can’t wait for the transfer window to open for results to improve. Now is the time to light the fire. There are as many games to play between now and the end of January (16) as there are between the close of the window and the end of the season. November and December will define United’s season, and to a large extent, who they could recruit in the New Year.”

Owls remain keen on former Leeds captain

Sheffield Wednesday are reportedly still keen to secure a deal for former Leeds United defender Liam Cooper.

The Star have claimed the Owls are in talks with the EFL to have their ‘recruitment restrictions’ relaxed to allow them to sign free agents. After entering administration, Wednesday completed the loan signing of Manchester United youngster Harry Amass as the Premier League giants are covering the entirety of the defender’s wages. Goalkeepers Ethan Horvath and Joe Lumley were also secured on an emergency basis.

The report suggests former Leeds captain Cooper has ‘remained a main target’ for Wednesday after an initial interest was shown in August and joint-administrator Kris Wigfield has claimed there is a desire to help the club add to their struggling squad.

He told BBC Sheffield: “There’s a possibility. We are looking to give the manager as much help as we possibly can. We’ve had conversations with the EFL and there are some hurdles to get through with FIFA and with the EFL. We’re hopeful we can do that and if we could just bring in one or two free agents to help the manager and make the club a little bit more competitive, particularly when we get injuries or he needs to make substitutions, then that would be fantastic. No promises at this stage, but we’re hopeful we can get one or two more players in for after the international break.”

Your next Portsmouth read: Portsmouth boss' frustration after Blues suffer worrying Connor Ogilvie injury blow