Portsmouth manager Paul Hart admitted he is seeking to recruit Bolton pair Danny Shittu and Gavin McCann ahead of Wednesday night's Premier League trip to Birmingham.
Hart's resources have been somewhat depleted, as the club has been left in limbo while Sulaiman Al Fahim completes his protracted takeover from Alexandre Gaydamak at Fratton Park. But the Pompey boss is striving to add to his side and revealed Shittu and McCann are on his hit list as he bids to bolster his squad before the transfer window closes on August 31.
"We have a long list of players, which has been added to and players taken off. They're on that list," he said.
"It was pointed out painstakingly to me on Saturday by the press that our squad is looking depleted. Numbers added to it would be welcomed at any point. I think most positions need cover."
Hart's efforts to build his squad - with the likes of Lens striker Aruna Dindane and Rennes forward Olivier Thomert also linked with moves to the south coast team - have not been aided by the fact right-back Anthony Vanden Borre is still waiting for international clearance to make his Pompey bow.
The Belgian has signed from Italian club Genoa and is registered as a Portsmouth player. He could yet slot into the side against Birmingham, should he receive the go-ahead no later than two hours before the game.
But Hart admits he is frustrated with the Italian FA, who have not yet given the 21-year-old the green light to play.
He said: "As we are here, we're still waiting for his clearance to come through. The request was put in last Wednesday and it's a ridiculous situation.
"It's very frustrating because we, and our FA, have done everything exactly right. It's the Italian FA, which is dragging its heels.
"It's to say when it will be completed but I hope we would get to know today (Tuesday)."
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Comment #3: unfortunately these idiots seem to troll the place... However, in defense of Yahoo, everyone is free to comment on here and monitoring everything would be a nightmare. It is only visible because (sadly I might say) this is only Portsmouth and we do not have (yet) the support that Man U or Liverpool gets all over the globe. A good thing too when you consider the inane comments from people that have obviously:
1. Never been to Old Trafford or Anfield
2. Think that Setanta or ESPN are actually name of grounds
3. That supporting a team means they have to win all the time
4. That defeat is unacceptable
5. That your team is the best yet you know bugger all about football
6. That wearing the shirt makes you a fan
7. That being able to tell all statistics about your club makes you a fan also
8. That Fratton Park is a pie-hole yet you are scared to go there
9. That John PFC Westwood is an idiot (well, he is, but he is OUR idiot)
10. That all that matters is trophies no matter how much sweat and blood the players exhude
Until people get that, I am afraid we will be stuck with the Playstation 3 and various other solicitations from all over the place...
That said, Dindane AND Thomert would be great signings... :-)
Cheers
OG
@#$%tu & McCann...? if that's the type of "quality" player Pompey are desperate to sign before they play us tomorrow then we should be hopeful of our first three points of the season before the weekend... ! I know I'm probably being optimistic but this side should be one of the six we need be capable of beating home & away this season. No offence Pompey fans - I'm sure you'll be feeling exactly the same about us! Keep the faith fellow Bluenoses & KRO
What has comments No 1 & 2 got to do with football matters. Yahoo need to monitor the site more closely.
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