Portsmouth are now leading Preston and Oxford United in the race to sign Championship wing-backs.

Pompey faces potential. Mickel Miller will be disappointed if suspicions of their interest in the Plymouth winger are confirmed.

This week, the Blues were connected with a free transfer for the 28-year-old, who has impressed in the Championship for the Pilgrims. Pompey, Preston North End, and fellow League One promotion winners Oxford United have all been linked with the versatile left-footer, who has yet to sign a new contract at Home Park. However, when interviewed in April, Plymouth director of football Neil Dewsnip expressed confidence in the situation. He claimed conversations with Miller and his representatives were going well. And while there was uncertainty at the moment over the Pilgrims’ Championship position, he was confident Miller would remain at Home Park provided the club maintained

Their position in the second tier. Plymouth, of course, went on to maintain their Championship status thanks to a last-day-of-season victory over Hull, which saw them finish one spot above the drop zone.

Miller was unable to participate in the victory due to knee ligament injuries sustained against Leicester on April 12. Nonetheless, Dewsnip was desperate to maintain hold of the former Rotherham ace as he hoped to prevent relegation back to League One. Speaking about Millar’s employment predicament, the Pilgrims’ chief football officer told the Plymouth Herald last month: “His contract does expire (at the end of June). Negotiations have already begun, so we are well along the road. I noticed that social media claimed he was departing with another player. I’m not sure where that came from, but so be it.’ Bringing Brendan Galloway’s predicament into the equation – another player in the final weeks of his Plymouth contract – Dewsnip added: ‘We have spoken with both players and representatives, and discussions are ongoing.

There’s the obvious, isn’t there? Which league are we in? I believe both guys did well in the Championship. They aim to remain in the Championship. So would you, as would I. So I don’t see too many concerns as long as we’re in this league.

Miller’s knee injury was expected to keep him out of action for four to six weeks. The Blues are looking to bolster their ranks as they prepare to enter the Championship for the first time in 12 years. They have been connected with a number of players following their League One title-winning season, but have yet to enter the transfer market.