Portsmouth and Peterborough look to strengthen as Sunderland linked with attacking midfielder

MacAnthony was quizzed whether the arrival of Ryan Broom meant Szmodics would not be returning after a successful loan spell, the Posh co-owner responded: “Assume nothing. This signing (Broom) is to give us strength in an area which will be depleted come the start of season.”

Szmodics had been linked with Sunderland despite reports he wants to try and break into the Bristol City first team.

Meanwhile, Portsmouth chief executive Mark Catlin has been speaking about Portsmouth’s plans to strengthen.

He told the News: “The players, agents and clubs we’re speaking to are fully aware of where we are as a club and where they are.

“In some cases the work has been done, but we’re waiting for the relevant club to hit the go button.

“They want to keep players around during this period themselves, because you never know they could pick up an injury in this period themselves.

“A lot of the Prem and Champ are only just coming back now, and in some cases managers are coming into clubs and assessing their squads.”

And finally, Accrington Stanley have signed Newcastle midfielder Mo Sangare on a season-long loan.

The 21-year-old, who joins Magpies team-mate Tom Allan on loan at the Wham Stadium, is no stranger to Accrington having spent time in their development squad after arriving in Britain from Liberia aged 14.

Work permit issues prevented Stanley from signing him at that stage but he told the club’s official. website on Friday: “It’s good to be back. I spent around eight months here when I first came over from Liberia. I couldn’t speak a lot of English and going to Accrington and Rossendale College helped me.

“I think the football will suit me here. I would describe myself as aggressive and powerful, I like to get forward but I also help out defensively depending on the situation.”

Manager John Coleman added: “He is a young lad, he was here as a kid but we couldn’t get a work permit for him at that time. Once he gets himself fully fit, he will be a big asset.”