Cherries boss mulls over future of loan striker

The striker’s Fratton Park loan spell ends after the Sheffield United match on October 29.

So far it has proven to be an excellent move for both player and club.

Pompey have picked up 10 points from a possible 12 in the league since Thomas’ arrival.

He has also netted twice and formed a formidable strike partnership with Izale McLeod.

Michael Appleton has indicated he will this week speak to Howe over extending the 25-year-old’s stay.

The returning Cherries boss, however, has yet to make up his mind.

Howe said: ‘Wes is someone we have always admired from afar.

‘We are quickly assessing the squad and are well stocked in the striker department.

‘But, with someone with his qualities and attributes, we are going to have to think long and hard about what we do with him before his loan is up.

‘We can’t do anything for the first 28 days but, once we are able to recall him, it is certainly something we would think about.’

Thomas signed permanently for the Cherries in January following a three-month loan spell.

He went on to score 11 goals last season and was the club’s leading marksman.

However, after scoring in Paul Groves’ first game in caretaker charge, he failed to find the target in 11 subsequent appearances and was farmed out to Pompey.

n Meanwhile, Jed Wallace maintained his scoring streak with a hat-trick for Whitehawk.

The Pompey midfielder was loaned to the Ryman League premier side last month.

The 18-year-old responded to the chance of regular first-team football by bagging two goals in his first three matches.

Wallace added to that tally on Tuesday night with a treble in a 5-0 league cup victory over Merstham.

In his Pompey absence, Guy Whittingham’s development squad shared a 1-1 draw with Crawley on Tuesday afternoon.

Jack Compton struck a second-half equaliser at Eastleigh.