Sean Davis, Richard Hughes, Glen Little and Noe Pamarot have given the club a boost following the 4-0 defeat at Chelsea.

At least two of them could be in the running for places in the next Barclays Premier League match at home to Manchester United on Monday.

Manager Harry Redknapp was so short of midfield options he played new centre-back Younes Kaboul there at Stamford Bridge and the £5million Frenchman found it hard going.

Tough-tackling Scottish international Hughes has found it hard to establish himself at Fratton Park but featured in notable successes against United last season - as a substitute in the 1-1 home draw last August when his clash with Ronaldo led to the Portuguese star being sent off, and again when Pompey clung on for a shock 1-0 FA Cup victory at Old Trafford in March.

But Redknapp has had to work without David James, Glen Johnson and Jermain Defoe, all on England duty, while strikers Kanu (ankle) and David Nugent (groin) and defender Linvoy Primus (groin) are still struggling for fitness.

With Pompey's attempts to buy more new players in the August transfer window restricted to loans and free transfers by a freeze on spending, Redknapp was looking for bargains at Tuesday night's 2-2 draw between South Africa and Australia at QPR's Loftus Road ground.