Appy wants wing addition

The Blues boss is eager to strengthen his wide areas during next month’s transfer window.

As it stands, he has Liam Lawrence, Erik Huseklepp and Luke Varney who can operate on the flanks.

Joel Ward has also played on the right-hand side of midfield during the past four matches.

But Appleton feels his squad does not possess enough genuine width.

As a result, he is eager to bring in an out-and-out winger to Fratton Park.

He said: ‘To get proper natural width, you need natural wide players.

‘There’s an argument that Erik (Huseklepp) is not a natural wide player.

‘He probably came into the club as a striker and I know a lot of people thought highly of him when he was a young boy as more of a striker than a wide player.

‘We’ve got a mix of players who are almost in between positions.

‘We’ve got players who can play in different positions but it’s all about the balance of the squad.

‘I want to be able to build a squad where the balance is perfect.

‘That normally means having two players fighting for every position but I haven’t got that luxury.

‘I’ve been in the job a month but I’m looking to improve this group of players and try to educate them into the way we want to play.

‘In the meantime, I’m sure over the next six, 12 or 18 months, players will be leaving the club – that naturally happens – and hopefully some will be coming in so I can improve the balance.

‘Is a wide player my priority? It could well be!’