Pompey are not expected to increase their playing budget for next season.

The new owners are expected to ask Kenny Jackett to work with the same amounts he has had to play with this season - a move that will doubtless disappoint some fans but perhaps not surprise many.

Tornante have been cautious with their outlay so far on the playing side and that looks set to continue.

Jackett told The News at his Thursday press conference: 'Yes, I think it will be the same budget. And I do believe we can improve as a club with that budget. We are working towards a budget and making sure we are as strong as possible.

‘We need more senior players, there is no doubt about that. Ideal numbers are 24, that would be perfect, whether it falls exactly like that — or one under or one over — we’ll see. ‘I do feel in terms of the squad there are some foundations, it doesn’t need ripping up completely. But we need to add as well, we cannot think the group together will be enough — we need players from the outside.

‘We want to start on June 27 and be as strong as we possibly can — and the ideal number is 24. What we do with some of the players internally will affect how many we bring in. A number of our young players are contracted for some time and that is a good basis to go on.

‘We need to strengthen, definitely. We will need a bigger group than we have, certainly during the second half of the season. Then we would want luck or good work internally to keep more people fit and available.’

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