Portsmouth will head into the January transfer window on the back of a nine-game unbeaten streak and genuine aspirations of promotion to the Championship.

After a rocky patch earlier in the campaign, Pompey were flying until a spate of postponed matches due to COVID-19 stalled their momentum, but they'll be starting 2022 well in the race for the play-off places and perhaps even automatic promotion.

There will be business done at the start of 2022 though as the south coast club will look to strengthen their hand for the second half of the season, even if money is potentially tight in the EFL right now.

 

 

 

 

What are the latest talking points at Fratton Park though? Let's look at them right now.

Will Boyle

With Pompey in the market for a new centre-back next month, reports in Cheltenham have linked Cowley's side to giant defender Will Boyle.

The 26-year-old, who came through Huddersfield's youth setup, has been a Robin since 2017 and scored six times in their League Two promotion-winning campaign in 2020-21.

He's missed a large part of the current season though due to injury but he's still thought to be on the shortlist at Portsmouth - Cowley is aware of Boyle but remained coy on any potential transfer links.

Boyle would cost a fee though - do Pompey have the funds to do that kind of deal in January?

John Marquis

Despite being the club's top scorer last season, John Marquis could exit Portsmouth in January.

With his contract expiring in the summer and being one of the higher earners, the hierarchy have put calls out to other clubs to express the availability of the striker in the upcoming transfer window, per The News.

Peterborough of the Championship were linked but that was quickly quashed by Posh chief Barry Fry, and due to his form this season it would be a surprise if the 29-year-old headed upwards.

A move to a fellow League One club would surely be more likely - will Marquis still be at Fratton Park on February 1?

Marcus Harness

Following a nine-goal haul in the first half of the season, attacking midfielder Harness is attracting interest from the Championship - specifically high-flying Blackburn Rovers.

LancsLive believe that Harness is on their radar next month but it's set to see only a significant offer entertained by Portsmouth.

CEO Andy Cullen says there's no pressure to let Harness depart but could his head be turned by Tony Mowbray's outfit?