Hart tracks Trotters duo

18 August 2009 16:52
Portsmouth boss Paul Hart has admitted to holding an interest in Bolton's Danny Shittu and Gavin McCann. The Pompey chief is all too aware that his first-team squad is considerably smaller than that of a number of his Premier League rivals, following a mass exodus of talent over the last 12 months. As a result, he will be looking to bolster his numbers before the transfer window closes at the end of August. Two of the players he is hoping he will be able to get on board are Trotters centre-half Shittu and his Reebok Stadium team-mate McCann. "We have a long list of players, which has been added to and players taken off. They're on that list," said Hart. "It was pointed out painstakingly to me on Saturday by the press that our squad is looking depleted. "Numbers added to it would be welcomed at any point. I think most positions need cover." Hart has also commented on speculation regarding the future of Niko Kranjcar and David James. He insists England international keeper James is not for sale, in the wake of reported interest from Tottenham, while he remains keen to keep Kranjcar at the club despite the Croatian playmaker admitting he will walk away from Fratton Park at the end of his contract next summer. "Niko's position was made clear to me at the end of last season, he will stay for another year," Hart said. "David James hasn't been to see me to express any desire to leave." On Kranjcar's position, Hart admits it may be in the club's interest to sell now rather than lose the player on a free but he feels the 25-year-old could have a crucial role to play this season. "It possibly would (be beneficial), but I'm not dealing with that," he added. "I'm dealing with Niko being happy here and he has told me what he would like to do, so I have no reason to believe anything is going to change in the near future."

Source: SKY_Sports