Harry Redknapp maintains Portsmouth are down to just 14 fit first-team players this month - and accepts he faces a struggle to strengthen his squad during the transfer window.

Pompey secured a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday with a 1-0 win at 10-man Ipswich.

It was the final match before John Utaka, Kanu, Papa Bouba Diop and Sulley Muntari - who did not play in the tie because of a toe problem - all head off to the African Nations Cup, which could keep them away from Fratton Park for the best part of five weeks.

With the likes of Linvoy Primus and Martin Cranie on the long-term injury list, Redknapp knows his options will be severely depleted as he looks to continue Pompey's progress following another away victory.

Chief executive Peter Storrie has pledged to give his manager the backing to strengthen the team, but finding the right men to bring in may prove "difficult", even for such a wheeler-dealer as Redknapp.

"I have only got 14 outfield players fit and there is not a spare body anywhere who can play in the Premier League and I am not going to get by on that," the Pompey boss declared.

"We have not got any 19 or 20 year-old kids at our club - the boys in the youth team could not play in the Premier League, no chance.

"I am not close to anybody and cannot say I have got anybody lined up. I am struggling to find anybody.

"It is so difficult to get players on loan, because who is going to loan you anybody?"

Redknapp added: "We need three or four to get us through the month, and I would be happy to get on with that.

"I am definitely short in midfield, because I lose the guys to the African Nations Cup. I have got two forwards, which is not so bad.

"Hopefully we can come up with some names.

"We are looking and I have made some enquires to loan one or two people from clubs like Tottenham, who have got a lot of players, but it is hard. They do not really want to loan you players.

"Suddenly they see us as competition now, a team which may be pushing to get in a UEFA Cup place, the same as them.

"They do not seem to want to help like they used to, when it was, 'oh well, Portsmouth can have them because they are not going anywhere'."

Redknapp also ruled out any departures, despite wantaway midfielder Matthew Taylor not being included in the squad on Saturday following reports of interest from a host of clubs.

"It is all right Matty saying he wants to go on and play somewhere, but unless I get replacements, he is not going anywhere," Redknapp insisted. "He is one of my 14 and I need him."

Pompey went through to Monday's fourth-round draw courtesy of a rare goal from forgotten striker David Nugent, who came off the bench at half-time.

The £6million summer signing from Preston, capped by England, has struggled to make himself part of Redknapp's plans.

"You hope he hits the ground running, but he has not had a lot of chances to be fair," said the Pompey boss.

"Since the first game, though, Benjani (Mwaruwari) has done so well leading the line and David has been unfortunate also with the system we have been playing with only one up.

"So it has been hard for him to get in.

"David has become more professional with his training and his outlook since he has been here.

"He has been around better players and he realises what is needed.

"People need to come in and train hard every day. Sometimes then they can impress you and you think, 'go on, have a chance'.

"No-one wants him to be better than I do because I bought him and he was a big signing for us.

"It is now all up to him."

Ipswich won the FA Cup in 1978 under Sir Bobby Robson and are the form home side in the Coca-Cola Championship.

However, the play-off hopefuls were dealt a blow after just 24 minutes yesterday when young midfielder Liam Trotter was shown a straight red card by referee Mark Halsey following a late, but not over-the-top challenge on Pedro Mendes.

To their credit, the hosts rallied during the closing stages and would have forced an equaliser but for some fine saves from Pompey keeper David James.

Town manager Jim Magilton said: "The boys have got a lot of character and quality, but they recognise it is a different level.

"They know you have to be fitter, stronger. I hope they use that as a confidence booster and a real platform to build on.

"We have got another tough game against Stoke next week and I hope we can take all this on board and move on."

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