Smith speaks well of Williamson

The south-coast club has gone through a frantic 24 hours in the transfer market, with Smith and Wigan's Michael Brown both joining. They were followed by Tottenham midfielder Kevin Prince-Boateng, striker Aruna Dindane - who has joined on a year-long loan from Lens - and Jamie O'Hara on loan from Spurs.

Pompey boss Paul Hart is also reported to have asked Smith about his former team-mate after Sylvain Distin's move to Everton, Smith said: "I have spoken to the gaffer here about him and was asked what I think, and I certainly think he can step up."

He added: "He's a good player, somebody who is hungry for the challenge and a very hard worker.

"I think he would be a great acquisition for the club."

Smith was on the brink of joining Coca-Cola Championship club Reading and was en route to sign his contract with the club after passing a medical.

But he opted against linking up with former Watford manager Brendan Rodgers when he heard of Portsmouth's interest.

While he was looking forward to the challenge of pushing for promotion at the Madejski Stadium, Smith admits taking the step straight into the top flight with Pompey was too tantalising to resist.

He said: "I had done the medical and everything else at Reading and I was happy to make the move.

"I knew the manager from Watford, and he was great - I was really happy with that deal. But then the Portsmouth call came, and the lure of the Premiership football was just too good."