Appy dismisses loan returns for popular duo

Pompey have ruled out any possible loan return for George Thorne and Scott Allan.

The Blues currently have two slots free in their 18-man squad, one of which has already been allocated for a new striker.

But Michael Appleton has admitted out-of-favour West Brom midfielders Thorne and Allan are out of his budget.

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The pair made massive impacts on loan from the Baggies last season, with Allan, in particular, emerging as a key performer towards the end of his stint.

Since heading back to their parent club, however, they have made just one first-team appearance between them.

Thorne featured in a Capital One Cup success at Yeovil, playing the entire 90 minutes, while Allan has not played a single match.

The Fratton faithful would love to see them back in a Pompey shirt and so would Appleton.

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But he concedes finances dictate he cannot offer them a loan route back to the south coast.

Appleton said: ‘Thorne and Scott would not be able to come here with our financial circumstances, absolutely no chance.

‘I remember in the summer I was interested in Chris Wood but, in the end, from a financial point of view, that was never going to happen, either.

‘Don’t get me wrong, with the budget I thought I was getting back in May he (Wood) would have been a very easy one to do.

‘But they aren’t going to happen now.’

Allan made 15 appearances for Pompey last season, scoring one goal.

Meanwhile, England under-19 Thorne enjoyed two spells at Fratton Park, featuring 13 times.