Portsmouth boss reveals goalkeeper stance following Manchester City and West Brom loan successes that will determine future transfer window strategies

And the Blues boss admitted it’s highly likely his No1 choice in the keeper department will be a loanee in future seasons – until current youngsters Josh Oluwayemi or Toby Steward prove first-team ready.

Since taking charge at Fratton Park, Cowley has turned to other clubs for reinforcements in this key area.

His first full season at the helm saw him bring in Gavin Bazunu on loan from Manchester City – a move that proved highly successful.

Meanwhile, this term has seen West Brom youngster Josh Griffiths serve as first choice as the England under-21 stopper provides the skill set deemed necessary over a season-long stay.

Permanent features within the Blues squad have been sacrificed as a result, with both Craig MacGillivray and Alex Bass – whom Cowley inherited from predecessor Kenny Jackett – allowed to leave.

Only 17-year-old Steward, who is currently on loan at non-league Bognor, and the relatively untested Oluwayemi fit into that category at present.

But with neither highly-rated youngster considered ready to claim the No1 spot at the Blues and Cowley seeing little value for money in the current goalkeeping climate at this level, he thinks Pompey have no other choice but to continue making use of the loan market.

‘I see that as the model at the moment in that position because I look at that position and it’s such a vital one,’ said Cowley.

‘And the ones who are available to us in the loan market are significantly better than the ones who are available to us on permanents.

‘The loan market is very interesting because we’ve have done well in it, particularly with Gavin, and that meant we got the next pick, if you like, and we were high up on other Premier League clubs’ radars.

‘We know this is a good environment to develop a young player and I think it’s great that we play at Fratton Park, which is a cauldron.

‘There’s such an expectation and pressure which naturally attracts the Premier League club to us because they know that sending a player here, they will have an experience that will set them up for the next stage in their career.

‘So we’re very lucky in that respect.

‘There’s some good options in the loan market.’

Pompey have a rich tradition of established long-serving keepers with the likes of Alan Knight, David James, Shaka Hislop, Ernie Butler and Norman Uprichard serving the club well in the past.

That’s something Cowley would love to replicate in the future with either Steward or Oluwayemi.

But be believes that is becoming increasingly difficult and that patience will be needed.

‘Its really tough (finding quality goalkeepers for the here and now) and what you’ve got to remember is the Premier League stockpile the goalkeepers,’ said Cowley.

‘They steal them all, take them all and that’s why all the best ones are out of reach.

‘As a consequence, we have to take another route.

‘We could bring in one of our own and develop one of our own, but how much was Gavin Bazunu? £13m?

‘That’s outside of our capabilities but we could get him on loan, which is great. But now he’s £13m, he’s not available to us.

‘What we’ve got to do is get a much younger goalkeeper like Josh Oluwayemi, who we bought for nothing, and get Toby Steward to develop and grow so that they eventually become something that we consider really good.

‘But that takes time and everyone has to be patient with that.’