Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie claims the club are now ready to step up their efforts in the transfer market.The FA Cup holders have already made two summer additions to their squad in Glen Little from Reading and Ben Sahar in a loan deal from Chelsea.

But Storrie insists Pompey are far from finished and with Euro 2008 over and other clubs now starting their pre-season preparations, he expects a slow market to pick up.

Storrie and the Pompey board are giving manager Harry Redknapp their full backing ahead of a campaign which will feature UEFA Cup football, although he concedes the club may have to look abroad.

He told the club's official website: "It's a holiday period at the moment but most things will happen in the next few weeks.

"There could be a lot of instances next season when we're playing on a Thursday and then a Sunday, so Harry wants as many players as possible. That's what we're trying to give him.

"That could also mean one or two who perhaps thought they would move on, might think again. They might want to stay now because there are going to be more opportunities to get into the side.

"We want a balance of English and foreign players at the club but let's not forget that we had three players in the England side a few weeks ago.

"Unfortunately the prices of UK players are much, much higher than European players and that's why clubs often look at the European market."

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