Awford positive in striker chase

And the Pompey boss is hoping that an end to Swindon’s ownership struggles will accelerate a move to bring in the forward.

The move to land Storey has continued throughout the summer, with Awford keen to complete a loan deal to bring him in.

The Blues manager has made no secret of his admiration for the player who had loan stints at Shrewsbury and Salisbury last season.

Swindon’s ownership wrangle between chairman Lee Power and former chief Jed McCrory has now come to a conclusion.

That saw a High Court judge rule Power, who spent a short period on loan at Pompey in 1993, had carried out a legal takeover of the Robins in December.

Awford felt that saga could have been a factor in the Storey move not taking place. He explained an agreement has still to be put in place for the 20-year-old, however.

Awford said: ‘It’s a simple situation really – we still haven’t reached an agreement with Swindon.

‘It’s no different. If it changes, he comes. If it doesn’t, he won’t.

‘I still want him to come but we haven’t agreed anything with Swindon. It’s as simple as that really.

‘I don’t know what’s going on at Swindon.

‘I guess it’s not that easy to get hold of people if they are in court. At the moment he is their player.’

A move for Storey would provide an injection of pace to Pompey’s attacking options.

Storey has picked up England under-19 recognition after coming through the ranks at the County Ground.

He grabbed headlines when scoring two goals to down Aston Villa in the Capital One Cup in 2012 but later missed a crucial penalty in the play-off semi-final loss to Brentford in 2013.

Storey has also suffered from hamstring injuries in that period.

Awford stated completing a move for the player was not a simple process.

He said: ‘It’s difficult and not as straightforward as everyone may think.

‘Until we reach an agreement he is not going to be able to come but we’re trying.’