Wes Thomas looks likely to be Guy Whittingham’s first loan target after Pompey created vital room for new recruits yesterday.
Striker Luke Rodgers completed his loan deal with Shrewsbury that will see him sign a permanent deal with the Shrews in January.
And defender Josh Thompson has reached a similar arrangement with Colchester United to take the Blues down to just 18 first-team players in their squad.
Bournemouth striker Thomas enjoyed a productive month at Pompey but then suffered a hamstring strain in his first training session back with his parent club.
He is now closing in on a return to fitness and is tipped to be on the bench for the Cherries this weekend.
It looked unlikely he could ever return to Pompey after Cherries manager Eddie Howe was unhappy with comments made by former Blues boss Michael Appleton over the striker’s early recall.
But Whittingham knows the signing of a loan striker is his immediate priority and the fact he is friends with Howe could smooth things over to allow the 25-year-old to return to Fratton.
Caretaker boss Whittingham said: ‘I’ve met Eddie a few times. I actually took him on his first coaching course and I don’t think it’s too bad a relationship down there.
‘We understand Bournemouth did what they did because it is their club and he (Thomas) is their player.
‘But he made a big difference to our play when he was here so we will see how things pan out.’
Comments