Cotterill has been lined up to become right-hand man to Harry Redknapp, who was named as Pompey's new boss on Monday.

Redknapp apparently met Cheltenham chairman Paul Baker on Tuesday to discuss Cotterill's future.

Cotterill has two years left on his Cheltenham contract and Pompey will have to pay compensation to secure his services.

Cotterill will not leave Whaddon Road before the end of the season though, as Cheltenham are involved in a push for the play-offs.

Redknapp told Portsmouth's The News newspaper: "Steve Cotterill's involved in the play-offs with Cheltenham at the moment, but he's certainly someone who interests me.

"He's enthusiastic, has great drive and works his socks off. He's highly rated in the game and doesn't stand any nonsense.

"He has the coaching badges, wants to do well and goes out to watch games all the time. He's got great knowledge.

"His record at Cheltenham has been outstanding. He's got a big future.

"But if I got him here I wouldn't be on an ego-trip. I'd have the final say, but I'd give him all the responsibility he needed.

"He'd be with me in the dugout and working in tandem with me in training."

Cotterill lives near Redknapp in Bournemouth and is reported to see the opportunity as an ideal step up the ladder to becoming a top-flight manager one day.

Cotterill took over at Cheltenham in 1997 and has guided the club from the Dr Marten's Premier League to Third Division play-off positions.