Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley has told The News that he is hoping that some of the club's out of contract players will leave in January in order to free up some much needed funds for new signings. 

The South Coast side currently have over 10 players in their first team squad who are set to see their contracts at Fratton Park expire in the summer of next year, thus heightening the possibility that there could once again be another big player turnover at the Sky Bet League One club.

Cowley has made no secret of the fact that he intends to bring in both a new striker and central defender during the January transfer window as he seeks to keep his side in the race for promotion in the new year.

Now the Pompey has admitted that he plans to try and accelerate his plan to offload some of the players that he doesn't wish to keep at the club by getting rid of some in the next window:

"There are a number of players that will be out of contract in the summer – so if we're not going to extend their contract I will be honest with them.

"I will tell them, I will have an honest conversation, because I think that's the right way to work.

"Off the back of that, there might be one or two that will then want to accelerate the process and leave in the January window rather than the summer window."

The club has options to extend several of said players contracts by a further 12 months should they wish to do so, whilst there are others that do not have such agreements written into their deals.

Marcus Harness, John Marquis and Sean Raggett are arguably the most high profile names on the 13 man list.

The Verdict 

This appears to be the most logical and simple way of trying to free up funds to bring in new players to the football club and it is sure to be something that Cowley has given a lot of thought.

He knows all too well that the club have to operate between the lines at present and if that means he has to wheel and deal a bit to get what he wants, so be it.

There are sure to be some players that don't want to stick around until their contracts expire, so it will be interesting to see who jumps ship.

With some having been close to leaving in the summer, it is fair to say that there should finally be some movement in the coming window.