Adams may sign more players

Portsmouth manager Tony Adams is confident of adding more new signings to his squad by the end of the week after landing Jermaine Pennant on loan from Liverpool until the end of the season.

Pompey signed the 26-year-old, a free agent at the end of the season, on a temporary agreement and Adams insists there will be more new faces to follow.

However, his battle to persuade Juventus midfielder Christian Poulsen to move to Fratton Park remains on-going as the 29-year-old has hinted he wants to remain in Serie A.

Adams was delighted with Pennant’s short-term capture, however, and believes the winger can supply the ammunition for striker Peter Crouch in the same way he did when the pair were on Merseyside.

“I’ve known him a long time,” said Adams. “He’s quick and technically very gifted. He can have a go at defenders.

“I saw him play with Peter Crouch for Liverpool at Fulham last year and he was constantly getting past their left-back and getting crosses in for Crouchie. That’s a good combination that I wanted to put back together.”

But while there was frustration in the chase for Poulsen, Adams hopes to land other players on his shopping list before the weekend.

The Pompey boss has run the rule over 100 players since December and says it is now all about getting his main targets to Fratton Park on the right deals.

“I don’t like speaking about other players but I will just say that it (the Poulsen deal) is way down the line,” said Adams. “We could have a few new recruits before the weekend, though.

“There are areas of concern, that is obvious from the amount of centre-backs we are playing in midfield at the moment. That’s an area that needs reinforcing.

Pennant jumped at the chance to join Pompey and said the feeling of being “wanted” again was a big factor in his decision.

He said: “I love playing football. I have not played for so long. You almost forget how great it is.

“Tony was very keen on me coming and it is important the manager wants you. He has worked very hard to get me here and that is why he succeeded.

“I just want to play the best I can, win games for Portsmouth and get them into the top half of the table.”