Two In, One Out

Last updated : 03 January 2018 By Jim Bonner

Kenny Jackett has moved quickly to strengthen his squad following a December decimation by loaning in two players from his old club.

Sylvain Deslandes and Connor Ronan have been borrowed from Wolves for the rest of the season with the former being a youthful left back and the latter a young creative midfielder.

It seems obvious that Deslandes is a replacement for Brandon Haunstrup who faces six to eight weeks on the sidelines. Dion Donahue has played the previous couple of matches at left back but this may allow him to cover Danny Rose's absence in defensive midfield.

Not too much is known about Deslandes only that he seems to be energetic and likes to get forward but Ronan is the interesting addition to the squad.

He may be small in stature but was supposedly the outstanding player during Wolves' Carabao Cup win at Southampton and also shone in a goalless draw at Man City in the same competition. He's likely to play just behind the striker or on the wing, which would make him a direct replacement for Gareth Evans.

Both players may feature against Chelsea Reserves in the next round of the Checkatrade Trophy next Tuesday but virtually nobody will be at Fratton Park (and not Stamford Bridge as previously scheduled) to watch them.

Therefore, the majority of us will have to wait until next Saturday's key match against Scunthorpe before passing any judgement on the youngsters.

In the other transfer news today, Curtis Main has left Pompey by mutual consent to join Motherwell in the Scottish Premier League, which seems to be his level, in all honesty.

Curtis can't be faulted for his effort but he simply wasn't good enough to play for a club challenging for promotion to the Championship this season. He'll be wished well north of the border.

It'll be interesting to see just how many more players arrive at Pompey this month. It won't be expected to be many as the Eisner's have made it clear in the past that there is a modest playing budget to be adhered to.

However, even they must have been surprised at how well their new club has performed this season and maybe, just maybe they'll see that this is an opportunity that'll tempt them to twist rather than stick.

Especially as there is a prospect of a South Coast derby in the league next season...