Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley rules out free agents to ease forward crisis

The Blues have just three senior attacking players fit for tomorrow night's League One trip to Crewe Alexandra.

Ellis Harrison and Michael Jacobs (both knee) are sidelined for the remainder of the season, while Jordy Hiwula (ankle) remains a long-term absence.

And despite being available after serving a three-match suspension for his red card at Shrewsbury, John Marquis is a doubt having had injections to treat an ankle injury.

As a result, Ronan Curtis, Marcus Harness and Ryan Williams are the only recognised options Cowley has to select from heading to Gresty Road – along with youngster Alfie Stanley who was named on the bench for Saturday's defeat against Burton.

One way to remedy the problem was potentially turning to free agents, with the likes of ex-Bournemouth and QPR winger Marc Pugh without a club since his Shrews departure in January.

However, Cowley confessed that is not possible as the deadline has passed.

The head coach told The News: ‘We're not allowed, unfortunately.

‘I'm told there is a deadline and we can't even sign free agents – I think that was March 25.

‘That wasn't possible to us anyway.

‘If you're taking free agents at this time of the season, they're usually free agents for a reason.

‘They haven't played football and by the time you've got them fit and ready, the season is probably over anyway.’

Pompey signed Hiwula as a free agent in October, after the summer transfer window had closed.