Portsmouth's caretaker team Paul Hart and Brian Kidd could be installed long-term.

The Guardian says Hart has impressed since stepping up from his role in charge of the club's youth set-up after Tony Adams was sacked. Last Saturday's 2-0 win at Fratton Park lifted the team four points above the relegation zone and has given the club breathing space in the search for a new manager.

It also alerted the owner, Sacha Gaydamak, and his executive chairman, Peter Storrie, to the qualities and experience of Hart and Kidd. Hart has taken charge of almost 300 league games as the manager of Nottingham Forest, Barnsley and Chesterfield.

Kidd, meanwhile, has Premier League experience as a No1 at Blackburn Rovers and has assisted Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, Bryan Robson at Sheffield United, David O'Leary and Peter Reid at Leeds, and also worked with Sven-Goran Eriksson's England squad.