Pompey looking to the future, despite present uncertainty

At this point of the season, it's normal to have a group of players coming to the end of their contracts. It's also common for negotiations to go on to the back burner until the end of the campaign.

This is what happened at the end of Pompey's promotion season from League One and to a lesser extent last summer.

But it's not the case this time around. John Mousinho has been open that talks are ongoing, external and a quick look at the starting XI in recent weeks would help explain why.

Connor Ogilvie has played pretty much every match when he's been fit this season. Zak Swanson has appeared in 28 of Pompey's 33 Championship games. Both have impressed away from their regular position. You don't want to lose players like this.

Marlon Pack and Andre Dozzell have both been strong contributors again. Pack might be 34 but is still impacting matches. Dozzell hasn't managed to maintain his brilliant form from the first couple of months of the season but is always solid and dependable.

Keeping all four, or at least attempting to, would seem sensible - although Portsmouth's current plight complicates things.

Income is higher in the Championship than League One, therefore wages are higher. While Portsmouth have put themselves in a good position to avoid relegation their fate is far from certain, which doesn't help.

Jordan Archer hasn't even been registered to play this season so will surely depart. Reuben Swann and Harry Clout have failed to set the world alight on non-league loans. They are both still young and can improve but seem some way off playing in the Championship.

Toby Steward has had an excellent loan spell in Scotland with St Johnstone, although it's understood his contract is not set to expire this summer. There's belief that he can challenge for the number one jersey in the future.

Portsmouth's football set-up means Mousinho doesn't deal directly with agents. That side of the business is handled by Richard Hughes, allowing the head coach to focus on footballing relationships with his players. He still has a say in club business but distances himself from negotiations.

There are only nine weeks left of the EFL season. We may not have to wait that long for contract news at Fratton Park.