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Jermain Defoe scored 17 goals in 36 appearances for Pompey between 2008 and 2009.

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Former Pompey striker Jermain Defoe has backed his former side to come out on top in Sunday’s south-coast derby.

And the 42-year-old has given an intriguing insight into how he prepared for a high-level occasion during his playing days.

John Mousinho’s men make the trip across the M27 to St Marys to face the Saints in the first meeting between the two sides for six years.

It’s a fixture which is wetting the appetite of fans, pundits and players alike as the two fierce rivals once again battle for south-coast supremacy.

Although Defoe never appeared in a derby during his 12-month stay at Fratton Park between 2008 and 2009, the striker recalled a conversation with Harry Redknapp which enlightened him over the hatred between the two clubs.

And the former England international, who netted 17 goals in 36 appearances for the Blues, has backed his former side to come out on top at St Marys.

Jermain Defoe backs Pompey against Southampton

He told BBC Radio Solent: ‘I remember having a conversation with Harry Redknapp about it. He loved them (the derby) but it’s definitely up there.

Although I never played in one, my time at Portsmouth meant I got a few comments from Southampton fans.

‘I know how big that derby is and I’ll be looking out for the result. I hope they do well to be honest.

‘It’s one of those games where, like any derby, you should get the best version of every player. Bragging rights for the fans and the players and everyone involved in that.

‘I feel like sometimes in derbies, regardless of form, it’s a one off game. My affiliation with the football club, I played for Pompey for a year, we had an amazing team and Fratton Park was always rocking. Even when I played for Tottenham and other clubs, going to Fratton Park was always difficult.

‘Southampton are a fantastic football club. I’ll look out for the result and obviously being an ex-Pompey player I hope they win.

While Defoe never lined-up for Pompey against Southampton, the former striker is well-accustomed to bitter rivals having featured for the likes of Rangers, Spurs and Sunderland.

And the former Fratton Park frontman has given an intriguing insight into how he used to prepar for a derby.

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Jermain Defoe reveals key derby preparation

‘I tried to play the game and not the occasion. I know it’s boring and you hear that a lot but you have to play the game and just try to prepare yourself like it’s any other game.

‘It’s the biggest game of the season, of course, in terms of fixtures, but at the same time I always tried to stay relaxed and play the game and not the occasion. When you’ve performed and you’ve won, then you can really celebrate.

‘Obviously the Tottenham - Arsenal game, Sunderland - Newcastle and the Old Firms between Rangers and Celtic were always big games.

‘For players, you will always try to find a bit more because of the size and the magnitude of the game. At the same time, you have to just play the game because it can get the better of you.’

He spent time with Pompey this summer before moving on - now the keeper is said to be interesting the SPL and French Ligue 1 sides. Blackburn Rovers, Oxford United and Stoke City were all said to be keen on the triallist.

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Scottish Premier League outfit Aberdeen are keen on former Pompey triallist Alfie Whiteman, according to reports.

And French top-flight side Nice are said to be trailing the keeper, who spent time with the Blues in pre-season, after leaving Spurs.

Aberdeen and Ligue 1 side Nice on former Spurs man’s trail

Whiteman was a surprise face joining John Mousinho’s group in July, as they got their warm-up games underway.

The 26-year-old featured in the 2-0 opening success at Woking and then played the second half of the 1-0 behind-closed-doors victory against Crawley.

Pompey opted against offering the Londoner a deal, however, with Whiteman still on the hunt for a new employer.

Aberdeen are said to be weighing up handing the 6ft 2in man a contract, according to SportsBoom, with that meaning he would link up with former Blues men Kusini Yengi and Adil Aouchiche at Pittodrie. The report says Blackburn, Oxford United and Stoke City were among those also showing interest in the keeper this summer.

Whiteman had a long association with Spurs, joining their academy a decade ago and then sealing a three-year deal three years later.

He picked up just a single senior appearance in that time for the Londoners, coming off the bench in the Europa League against Ludogorets in 2020.

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Whiteman picked up a medal for being part of the Spurs squad though, as they won the Europa League against Manchester United in May. That meant he left the club on a high this summer, as he searches for the playing time he’s not managed to pick up in his career to date.

Pompey turned their attentions elsewhere this summer for a new keeper, after Isle of Wight man Stuart Moore linked up with Mousinho’s squad for their pre-season training camp in Slovakia.

Moore moved on and was handed a deal with League One outfit Wycombe, before Mousinho confirmed Whiteman had done likewise towards the end of July.

Pompey keeper department strong after Bursik deal

He said after the 0-0 draw with Hawks: ‘Alfie is no longer with us on trial, and he hasn’t been with us this week, but we’ll be keeping a close eye on where Alfie ends up.’

Pompey instead turned to former Stoke man Josef Bursik to bolster the goalkeeping department, as he arrived from Belgian side Club Brugge.

The News first reported the Blues’ interest in the former England age-group keeper in July, before he became the club’s first deadline day capture.

Mousinho said of Bursik: ‘He’s someone who showed a lot of promise as a youngster and has played plenty of Championship games. He really bolsters the options we’ve got in the goalkeeping department and is a target that’s been in our sights for a while now, so we’re delighted to get the deal done.”

Bursik joins Nico Schmid, Jordan Archer and Ben Killip as Pompey’s current goalkeeper options, with emerging talent Toby Steward impressing on loan at St Johnstone in the Scottish Championship.

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Portsmouth rivals eyeing shock move for ex-Tottenham Hotspur favourite as Blackburn Rovers plot deal for defender

The latest transfer headlines involving Pompey’s Championship rivals.

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It was a busy climax to the transfer window for Pompey, who added four new faces to the squad.

Franco Umeh, Josef Bursik, Makenzie Kirk and Conor Chaplin all sealed moves to Fratton Park on deadline day, joining Adrian Segecic, Mark Kosznovszky, Luke Le Roux, John Swift, Florian Bianchini, Minhyeok Yang and Josh Knight who arrived earlier in the summer.

Meanwhile, Abdoulaye Kamara and Tom McIntyre both departed before the end of the market, sealing switches to Saarbrucken and Bradford City respectively.

Although the window has slammed shut, clubs can still bolster their ranks with the additions of free agents.

And that is what a number of Championship sides are looking to do, with clubs eyeing further additions.

Here are the latest transfer headlines involving Pompey’s second-tier rivals.

Swans swoop for Alli

Swansea City are believed to be eyeing a swoop to land former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli.

That’s according to talkSPORT football correspondent Ben Jacobs, who has claimed the Swans’ co-owner Luka Modric is in contact with a number of experienced free agents over a switch to South Wales.

It has been suggested a move could be on the cards over the next few weeks following the 29-year-old’s departure from Italian outfit Como.

Alli has struggled for game time and minutes over the past 12 months and registered just one outing for the Serie A side during his short stint with the club.

The ex-Everton man fell down the pecking order with boss Cesc Fabregas and mutually agreed to terminate his contract earlier this week.

The 37-cap England international could be given a pathway back into English football, with Jacobs suggesting a shock Championship switch could be a possibility.

He said on talkSPORT: ‘I think Swansea City is going to be really interesting because Luka Modric is now part of that ownership group. From what I’m told, he’s having conversations with slightly older players and free agents to try and lure them over there.

‘It wouldn’t at all surprise me from what I here that Swansea City and Dele Alli becomes a thing over the course of the next few weeks.

‘I think Dele Alli won’t get an opportunity in my opinion in a big five league after it didn’t work out at Como but maybe a Championship club on a short-term deal.’

Swansea have had a solid start to the season to date and sit level on points with Pompey after the opening four Championship matches.

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Rovers keen on defender

Blackburn Rovers are reportedly keen on signing defender Craig Dawson.

Alan Nixon has suggested Rovers are looking to strengthen their ranks at the heart of the backline, with the 35-year-old believed to be wanted at Ewood Park.

The centre-back is said to have been weighing up his options following his departure from Wolves at the end of last season.

Valerian Ismael’s men lost forgotten former Pompey loanee Dom Hyam on deadline day, who sealed a £2m move to Wrexham.

That has left Rovers with just two options at the centre of defence, with Dawson admired in Lancashire.

Blackburn have had a tough start to the campaign, losing three of their first four Championship matches and sit four points behind the Blues.

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There’s two days left of the summer transfer window - and the former Middlesbrough and QPR man could still be on his way from Fratton Park.

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The door is still open for Jordan Archer’s Pompey exit as the transfer window reaches its climax.

John Mousinho has confirmed the keeper can still move on before Monday evening’s deadline to find the regular football he’s seeking.

Pompey ‘won’t stand’ in keeper’s way

But the Blues boss is happy for Archer to stay put at PO4, as he praised the former Spurs and Middlesbrough man’s ongoing professionalism amid an uncertain period.

Archer has been linked with an exit in recent weeks, with interest from League Two side Salford City not developing into a departure.

The 32-year-old wants the playing time which is looking increasingly unlikely at Pompey, after falling further down the goalkeeping pecking order after Ben Killip’s arrival.

Archer played three times last season, including two Championship outings, and showed himself to be a dependable back-up in Nico Schmid’s absence.

It remains to be seen if any late opportunities arise for the Londoner over the next couple of days, but the situation remains a live one for the keeper.

And from Pompey’s point of view, it’s a scenario Mousinho remains comfortable with despite two days of the window remaining.

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Mousinho said: ‘Jordan’s another one where his future is up in the air, I’m not sure if Jordan will end up going out.

‘He’s been great for us in training and there’s been a little bit of interest, but nothing which has been right for him.

‘With Jordan it’s a case of if he finds something he wants to take and it’s a good opportunity for him we won’t stand in his way.

‘If not though we are happy having him in the building.

‘For Jordan he wants to go and play games, that’s always been the conversation we’ve had. So if there is an opportunity for him to go and play then great.

‘But Jordan isn’t a player who’s caused any issues at all, he’s been in really good form in pre-season actually. So in a lot of ways it’s great to have him around.’

New keeper to arrive at Fratton if Archer leaves

Mousinho has already made it clear Pompey will need to be ready to react to Archer’s departure if it arises, by recruiting another keeper to come in alongside Schmid and Killip.

Academy graduate Toby Steward is thriving on loan at St Johnstone in the Scottish Championship, after finishing last season with an impressive stay with Crawley in League One.

While the goalkeeping department is a fluid situation, the need for reinforcements further forward is more apparent.

Pompey know they need to bolster their options out wide with Matt Ritchie joining Reading on Thursday, and Callum Lang sidelined for up to 12 weeks after hamstring surgery.

That leaves loaness Florian Bianchini and Minhyeok Yang likely vying to start on the right flank against Preston today, if Adrian Segecic is deployed centrally.

Mousinho has also been clear about the need for Pompey to bolster the striker department, with Colby Bishop and Thomas Waddingham the considerations to lead the line.

Pompey are keen on St Johnstone striker Makenzie Kirk, with Crystal Palace winger Franco Umeh under consideration out wide.

The South Korea international has been backed by John Mousinho after a tough Reading debut, with the Blues boss sending a message to fans over the winger.

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John Mousinho urged Pompey fans to show patience with Minhyeok Yang after a difficult Pompey baptism.

And the Blues boss has called on the South Korea international to carry on trying to make things happen, as things went against the Spurs man on his Fratton bow.

Patience needed with Spurs man after Fratton arrival

Yang had a tough debut in the 2-1 loss to Reading on Tuesday night, as a bright start evolved into a difficult evening in the Carabao Cup exit to the League One side.

The 19-year-old’s full debut came four days on from signing on loan for the season, with a 23-minute cameo arriving last weekend in the league opener at Oxford United.

Mousinho highlighted how it’s been a whirlwind period for the former QPR loanee, as he was given a crash course in what is expected of him and the demands of playing for his new boss’ side.

Yang was a long way from being the only Pompey to come up short, with a host of players failing to perform in the Royals reverse

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Fellow debut-making pair Ibane Bowat and Mark Kosznovsky couldn’t hit the ground running, while the likes of Hayden Matthews and Jacob Farrell were making their first appearances after significant periods on the sidelines.

Mousinho took encouragement from the fact Yang continued in his efforts to be creative for the entirety of the evening, despite things not going for him.

The Pompey boss feels the former Gangwon FC man deserves to be given some time to bed in, along with his fellow new faces.

Mousinho said: ‘I think Minhyeok was definitely trying his best to make something happen. He had a really bright start to the game, nearly got in once or twice and had a couple of shots.

Pompey boss: Yang and all new signings need ‘patience’

‘Maybe it was a reflection of where we were in the game, that when we went a goal down there maybe was a bit of trying to force play.

‘But that’s fine, I do want wingers to be direct and I do want wingers to try to make things happen. Sometimes that falls on the wrong side of a decent performance.

‘But there’s no issue there, Minhyeok had been with us for two days before the game. He doesn’t know the system, he doesn’t know the way we want to play.

‘We tried to put him out with as much instruction as possible, but sometimes you can overdo that as a coach as well.

‘He would have been really keen to get things going, but I think with Minhyeok and all the new signings a little bit of patience is definitely warranted.

‘We speak about how long it takes to come in adjust to how we want to play, the system and the press.

‘It is quite specific in terms of the way we want to do things and there are different demands perhaps to what a player may have been used to - so it can take a minute for people to get going.’

The former Millwall, Fulham and Middlesbrough man has been told he can leave Fratton Park. Here’s the latest from John Mousinho.

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John Mousinho has revealed Pompey are still open to letting Jordan Archer leave before the close of the transfer window.

But the Blues will only look to recruit a new keeper if the former Spurs and QPR man departs before September 1.

Pompey boss: If Archer wants to go, that’s fine

Archer is potentially looking to move on as he searches for the football he’s not likely to find at Fratton Park this term - with potential interested parties.

The 32-year-old is now third choice keeper behind Nico Schmid and Ben Killip, as he enters the final season of his existing agreement.

League Two side Salford City were keen on Archer before they brought in Mark Howard after he left Wrexham, with Sunderland youngster Matty Young moving to the club on loan for the season.

Mousinho is relaxed about the position of the man who made three appearances last term, though it’s clear it will be hard for Archer to get more Pompey minutes with Killip preferred against Reading in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

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Pompey have aired the notion of bringing in a fourth keeper for training purposes, with that aiding the ability to play full training games.

Former Morecambe man Stuart Moore joined the group as they went to Slovakia for their pre-season training camp, before the Isle of Wight man joined League One outfit Wycombe. Alfie Whiteman also spent some time with Pompey, after his summer Spurs exit.

Mousinho seem happy to park bringing in a new keeper now, however, unless Archer leaves.

The Pompey boss said: ‘We’re okay in terms of the goalkeeping situation.

‘We’ve been open in terms of Jordan Archer’s situation, whether he’s going to leave or stay at the club.

‘If Jordan is still here after the transfer window closes then no problem, but if he wants to go and get game time somewhere and we can make that move happen then that’s absolutely fine. We’d then have to recruit underneath that.’

Plenty of interest in former Spurs and Middlesbrough man

There’s now just over two weeks left for clubs to complete their summer recruitment business, with Mousinho revealing clubs are interested in Archer. The Pompey boss explained it has to be a move which works for the Londoner, however, with an opening which allows him to get the playing time he wants.

Mousinho added: ‘We’re just being open and honest with each other about Jordan’s position.

‘There’s been plenty of interest in him, just nothing concrete that has piqued both his and the club’s interest. That’s at the minute anyway.

‘Maybe something will happen late, you never know. It’s a strange position, goalkeeper.

‘A lot of people are willing to have two or three people competing for one position, but with goalkeepers you tend to go in for a very specific reason.

‘That’s whether you’re a three, a two or you’re going to start games - so there needs to be a specific opening (for Archer).’

The South Korea international made his Blues debut at Oxford United

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John Mousinho believes Minhyeok Yang showed ‘glimpses’ on his debut - and has revealed how the Spurs loanee fits into his Pompey first-team.

The 19-year-old replaced Florian Bianchini in the 66th minute of Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Oxford United in the Championship opener.

Operating on the left wing, it represented the Fratton faithful’s first look of the South Korea international’s talents, having arrived at Fratton Park the previous day.

Yang initially caught Mousinho’s eye during a QPR scouting mission in February, when he watched the attacker start in a 4-0 victory over Derby.

And, having subsequently monitored his progress, the Blues have secured the highly-regarded youngster on a season-long loan from Spurs.

Portsmouth boss: He brings a lot of excitement to us

Mousinho told The News: ‘You probably saw glimpses of how sharp Minhyeok is on the left wing.

‘I first saw him last season at QPR, they played Derby on a Friday night and he was superb, a thorn in their side. I was pretty pleased actually that he didn’t start the following week at Fratton Park, although he came on and did well.

‘He’s a player we have been monitoring. Tottenham, rightly, have very, very high hopes for him and he’d been away with them on a pre-season tour, so we had to wait patiently to bring that loan in.

‘He can play on either flank - on the left or right - and brings a lot of excitement to us.

‘Minhyeok is very sharp, you saw that when he was flagged offside, but the players didn’t realise and he nearly got in. He’s a skilful player, a tricky one to deal with, and I suppose a bit of a different profile if you look at the wingers we’ve got.

‘Everyone knows Murph in terms of his ability, while we saw glimpses of Flo (Bianchini) and what he can provide, I actually thought Flo grew into the game really well in the second half, but we were just concerned over the lack of full pre-season he’s had and lack of minutes over the last 3-4 months.

‘We have seen Langy in a 10, but he is a direct winger, whereas Minhoef is maybe slightly more comfortable inside, a bit more jinky, a slightly different profile.

‘He’s had a stop-start pre-season because, for the past couple of weeks when we’ve been monitoring that as a loan, he hasn’t played a huge amount for Spurs. But we are looking to build up his fitness.’

Two pre-season outings for Spurs

After linking up with Spurs in January, Yang moved on loan to QPR for the second half of last season, making 14 appearances, scoring twice and producing one assist.

This summer, he featured twice during the Premier League club’s pre-season under new head coach Thomas Frank, most recently for four minutes after James Maddison was stretchered off against Newcastle.

And Mousinho believes Yang will be able to cope with the Championship’s physicality.

‘He’s not the biggest, that’s fine’

He added: ‘I have seen him cope with the level, he is game. He’s not the biggest, that's fine, there are plenty of players like that, Adrian Segevic isn’t the biggest, but he certainly coped with the physicality on Saturday, although you need that balance.

‘Of course we want to have big, solid, dominant players, at the same time you need players who can handle the ball and, if you find someone who can do both, that’s ideal.

‘I have seen enough of him last season to know he has plenty at the table.’

Pompey have made six new signings this summer as John Mousinho looks to strengthen his side.

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John Mousinho has provided a three-word update over Pompey’s next piece of transfer business.

The Blues kick-started the new Championship campaign on a winning note on Saturday afternoon, with a 1-0 victory against Oxford United.

Adrian Segecic’s 38th-minute debut goal was enough to steal the three points at the Kassam Stadium for Pompey’s new-look side.

Six new faces have so far arrived through the doors at Fratton Park as Mousinho looked to build on last season’s 16th-placed finish on their return to the second tier.

Segecic has been joined by John Swift, Mark Kosznovszky, Luke Le Roux, Florian Bianchini and Yang Min-hyeok in making the switch to the south coast in the transfer window.

John Mousinho’s Pompey transfer update

With the Spurs winger the latest to seal his switch to PO4 on Friday afternoon, the head coach, though, isn’t expecting any imminent arrivals.

When asked by BBC Radio Solent if the Blues were close to any further addition, Mousinho simply replied saying: ‘I don’t think so, no nothing’.

There were four debutantes at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with Swift, Min-hyeok, Segecic and Bianchini all featuring, while Kosznovszky and Le Roux were unused substitutes.

The South Korean international became Pompey’s sixth signing of the window and was registered in time to make his first appearance off the bench - replacing the Swansea loanee on the hour mark.

Indeed, Mousinho was impressed with the impact the Spurs youngster had on the side having only been announced just 24 hours prior to kick-off.

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John Mousinho on Spurs’ Yang Min-hyeok

The head coach said: ‘Min-hyeok is a player ever since he - I’d say - burst onto the scene with QPR after coming over and signing for Tottenham in January was very good last season.

‘I saw him on a Friday night when QPR beat Derby 4-0, he was excellent on the night and I was grateful he didn’t start at Fratton Park a week later.

‘I thought he showed some real glimpses today, plenty to improve upon and plenty to work on but it was a bit of a baptism of fire throwing in a 19-year-old to go and see the game out.

‘Really pleased with him and we’re happy to make another addition in those wide areas. We’re looking to keep building on that.’

Although Colby Bishop was fit to start Saturday’s curtain raiser against Oxford United, there was a surprise absentee, with Josh Murphy not named in the squad.

The winger was sidelined after sustaining a slight hamstring issue in the final pre-season friendly against PEC Zwolle, but Mousinho believes the 30-year-old could be back as early as next week.

Meanwhile, Marlon Pack was missing due to a knee problem, while Jacob Farrell’s absence was down to selection.

Pompey land the South Korea international from Premier League Tottenham Hotspur.

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Pompey have completed a season-long loan deal for winger Yang Min-hyeok.

The 19-year-old arrives from Spurs for the campaign to bolster the Blues’ resources going forward.

Yang becomes Pompey’s sixth new face of the summer and second loan arrival, following deals for Adrian Segecic, John Swift, Mark Kosznovszky, Luke Le Roux and Florian Bianchini.

The South Korea international would’ve needed to be registered by midday today to feature in the Championship opener at Oxford United tomorrow.

Yang arrived at Spurs on a long-term deal from South Korea outfit Gangwon last summer, before joining QPR on loan in January.

The direct runner made 14 appearances at Loftus Road, returning two goals and an assist.

Pompey are closing in on the signing of Tottenham Hotspur winger Yang Min-hyeok.

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Former QPR boss Marti Cifuentes has given a glowing reference over winger Yang Min-hyeok as he closes in on a move to Pompey.

The Blues are closing in on a move for the talented 19-year-old from Tottenham Hotspur, as first reported by The News on Tuesday.

The South Korean is on John Mousinho’s radar, who is looking to bolster his options out wide following the arrival of Florian Bianchini last week.

Reports elsewhere have claimed a move for Min-hyeok are progressing, with Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke suggesting a Fratton Park medical has been booked.

That’s ahead of a loan move from north London, with Thomas Frank giving the green light for a number of Spurs youngsters to depart on a temporary basis this summer.

The young forward spent the second half of last season with QPR, where he netted two goals and provided one assist in 14 outings.

Indeed, it proved a hugely successful loan at Loftus Road, with Min-hyeok becoming hugely popular with fans and boss Cifuentes.

The head coach, who departed the Hoops in April, highlighted the winger’s appearance from the bench against the Blues in a 2-1 defeat as a standout performance as he continued to adjust to life in the Championship.

Speaking to Toby Bryant from our sister paper, London World, in March, Cifuentes said: ‘He’s progressing, doing well. The last two games at home especially, he did well. The impact from the bench against Portsmouth was very positive.

‘He’s growing, learning our way of playing and the pace of the game. He’s doing good things and is still a young lad that needs to keep learning and improving some areas.

‘His attitude is top. He is dangerous and has the pace to go forward, get in behind and go one vs one.’

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Yang-min-hyeok’s career to date

After coming through the ranks with K-League outfit Gangwon, Min-hyeok registered his first-team debut aged 17.

He went on to net 12 goals and register six assists in 38 appearances in the South Korean top flight during the 2024 campaign before sealing a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 1.

The one-cap South Korea international was shipped straight out to QPR during the transfer window, where he amassed 14 outings as the Hoops finished 17th in the Championship.

Pompey have already added five new faces to the squad ahead of the upcoming campaign, which gets underway on Saturday with a trip to Oxford United.

John Mousinho on new Pompey loans

With Mim-hyeok expected to become the Blues’ second loan arrival of the summer, Mousinho has revealed his side have been working on further additions who will come in on temporary deals.

He told The News: ‘I don’t know if we will fill all five slots (in terms of loans), we’ll probably keep a little bit back for January.

‘But over the past week we’ve seen clubs come back off tours and Monday night Liverpool played a double header at Anfield, so clearly they kept their players back for that. That’s just an example, but they kept their best young players back to play in those two games.

‘Arsenal have done that for when they have two games in two days coming up and Premier League sides quite rightly keep hold of their players until later on.

‘We are looking to the loans market and there’s a couple now potentially available to us we’ve been working on this week.

‘Most of the clubs just let you know pretty quickly when they are ready to release the players. They let the agents know and put the circulars out and people start to move.

‘Spurs are one club who this week let Jamie Donley go to Stoke, (Will) Lankshear to Oxford and George Abbott to Wycombe. So that’s what tends to happen, when last week there was none available.’