Whittingham waits to line up new recruits

The caretaker Blues boss has been swamped with e-mails, letters and phone calls from representatives of players who would be available in the summer and keen to get a contract at Fratton Park, despite the club’s expected relegation.

But while Whittingham is keen to start making plans, he knows he has to wait on the club’s ownership being resolved next month and has decided against lining up any potential deals.

He said: ‘You get a lot of e-mails and contact from agents or players.

‘But it all depends on what goes on off the pitch, so I don’t think it’s worth meeting up with anyone yet.

‘We’ve got a list of players we would like to bring in next season or keep.

‘But they all want to know if there will be a club, which is also my first question.

‘We’re all hoping and the sooner, the better.’

Pompey will need to act quickly over the summer to secure some of the more appealing free transfers who will be available but there are clearly plenty of players out there who will not be deterred by the basement division.

And Whittingham has identified several targets he would like to recruit.

He said: ‘We are getting all different calibre of players contacting us. There are some good young ones, some good old ones and a few in-between.

‘You look at the released list or those who are out of contract because we know the days of us paying for players are a long way away.

‘But you can ask if there would be any interest and I’d be very surprised if anyone said “no” at this stage.

‘When you are a player, you keep your options open.’