The return of Marlon Pack and the capture of Zak Swanson from Arsenal have been positive moves for Portsmouth this summer but progress beyond those two acquisitions has been slow. 

The League One club's chances of re-signing Gavin Bazunu after his superb loan spell last season always looked slim but it will have been gutting for them to see him join rivals Southampton on a permanent deal from Manchester City.

That leaves Danny Cowley and co searching for a new number one and West Bromwich Albion's Josh Griffiths is a reported target.

In late June, talkSPORT's Alex Crook claimed that a deal for the 20-year-old was close but that is yet to materialise.

It looks as though Pompey may have to be patient in their pursuit of the Baggies shot-stopper, who is currently second choice at The Hawthorns due to the injury to Alex Palmer.

But though it is unclear when the Championship club will sanction a loan move, Griffiths does look likely to depart and Steve Bruce's recent comments highlight that the keeper will be worth the wait.

With Palmer absent due to a "slight hip flexor problem", the young keeper featured in their first pre-season friendly against Leyton Orient on the weekend and certainly caught the manager's eye.

“He’s going to be some goalkeeper, the young lad, I have to tell you," the Albion boss told the Express&Star.

"I’m really, really pleased. His kicking, everything about him. He’s got a wonderful stature.

"He’s done very, very well.”

Cheltenham Town, too, can vouch for what an impressive young keeper Griffiths is, as he was ever-present in the side that won League Two and secured promotion to the third tier in 2020/21.

Things were tougher for him at Lincoln City last term but he's gained an understanding of League One and should be better prepared to thrive at that level in the upcoming campaign.

Pompey will be an appetising destination from a West Brom perspective as the 20-year-old is unable to get regular football at a Championship club and the Fratton Park outfit will likely be competing near the top of League One while Bazunu's experiences last season show what a positive place it can be for young keepers.

There's an element of risk in waiting for Griffiths, particularly as we don't yet know the extent of Palmer's injury, but Bruce's recent comments indicate that their patience could pay off next term.