John Mousinho currently doesn’t have a specialist operator to call upon in that department with Jacob Farrell also sidelined.
The Pompey boss acknowledged after the defeat to Hull City on Saturday the Blues will consider making a move into the free agent market, with a space left open in his 25-man squad registered with the EFL.
So we’ve trawled the domestic options and some players further afield who fit the bill to differing degrees, as the Blues once again weigh up covering sidelined players with bringing in a free agent.
5. Jordan Amavi
Former Aston Villa man was once linked with a 25m Euro move to China, but without a club after leaving Brest in the summer. | DAMIEN MEYER/AFP via Getty Images
6. Jerome Roussillon
Popular figure left German Bundesliga side Union Berlin as a free agent last summer. The Guadeloupe international, 32, was previously with the likes of Wolfsburg and French side Montpellier. | Getty Images
7. Jaden Brown
The attacking left-back, who is formerly of Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield Town, does not have a club after leaving St Mirren last year shortly after being in court on driving offences. | Jacques Feeney/Getty Images
8. Ali Koiki
Another left-back fancied by Pompey in the past. Linked with Colchester and had a trial with Cheltenham after leaving Northampton in the summer. Photo: Pete Norton