Hart ready to bolster Pompey

Portsmouth boss Paul Hart has revealed he expects to draft in six new signings on the south coast with the season less than three weeks away. And Hart, who only last week signed a permanent contract, hopes to have at least one new signing in place before the squad leave for their pre season training camp in midweek.

Hart is taking his men to Portugal and he is quietly confident he will have former Liverpool defender Steve Finnan on board. The 33-year-old Republic of Ireland star is keen on returning to England after joining Espanyol last summer.

The Pompey boss is also chasing a new striker and has also reiterated his interest in Croatia hitman Nikola Kalinic.

Hart told The News: "Over a period of the next week or two I am expecting maybe five or six players to come.

"We've got quite a lot of targets that we're working on and we're hoping that most of them will come to fruition.

"I think getting Steve Finnan before we get to Portugal has got a chance. Although I'm reluctant to talk too much until it's actually pen to paper.

"Kalinic is one of many we're interested in. There are some good players we've looked at and identified and we are hopeful.

"In the next week or two we should see some additions to the squad.

"I've been looking at most positions because obviously we've got to have back-up. And there's a type of player and a type of character that we are trying to get in as well.

"Five or six players is what we are looking at and I'm hopeful."

Hart, though, does expect players to leave Fratton Park to link up with Harry Redknapp, while Aston Villa are expected to test Hart's resolve with a move for Sylvain Disin.