The Pompey manager addresses the task of replacing Matt Ritchie as his exit to Reading draws near – along with the ongoing push to land a striker.

John Mousinho admitted Pompey are yet to bring in a successor for Matt Ritchie as the transfer deadline approaches.

The search is still ongoing to compensate for the quality the Blues will lose, with the Gosport-born winger departing to join Reading.

Ritchie is expected to sign for the League One outfit and bring an end to his Fratton Park return, as first reported by The News earlier in the month.

Mousinho accepts that finding a wide player with the right pedigree and impact is a top priority in order to push Pompey forward this campaign.

Asked whether the challenge is to improve on what Ritchie offered, Mousinho replied: “Absolutely, we want to aim for improvement across the board.

“We try to achieve that each summer, and when someone performs to the standard Matt delivered, the test is to ensure we get stronger – or at the very least, different.

“That’s perhaps the better way to phrase it – finding someone who fits how we want to operate this season.

“It’s been a really tough task, one we’ve not fully managed yet, but we’re continuing to work hard on it.”

Alongside the need to fill Ritchie’s void, Pompey are also tasked with finding replacements for Christian Saydee and Kusini Yengi following their departures, as fresh attacking options are targeted.

Mousinho emphasised the goal is to raise the squad’s level, even if a new forward does not mirror Saydee’s role exactly.

He explained: “That’s really the key – making sure we progress. Sometimes that’s achievable, other times it isn’t.

“We made the call to let both players (Saydee and Yengi) leave because we believed in the overall strength of the squad.

“With Christian, we particularly wanted to be fair, given his service to the club, and allow him to get more minutes elsewhere.

“We wouldn’t have sanctioned that move if we thought it would leave us worse off. But yes, we are still aiming to strengthen in that area.

“Christian especially was seen as a number 10, and this year we began with Callum Lang and Adrian Segecic as our two 10s.

“We just didn’t see him featuring at all, so that’s why the decision was made – though it’s certainly a position we’re keen to bolster.”