'Maybe' - Portsmouth boss John Mousinho makes transfer admission ahead of West Brom's visit to Fratton Park
Pompey are closing in on their fourth signing of the January transfer window
John Mousinho is hopeful Pompey will welcome another new player to his first-team ranks ahead of Saturday’s game against West Brom.
The Blues have already added three new signings to the Fratton Park squad list during the January transfer window, with Millenic Alli (loan), Ebou Adams (permanent deal, undisclosed) and Keshi Anderson (free agent) all snapped up.
The trio have helped strengthen key areas of the team that have been decimated by injuries, with both Alli and Anderson giving Mousinho options in wide attacking areas in the ongoing absence of Josh Murphy, Callum Lang, Harvey Blair and Franco Umeh.
Meanwhile, Adams - who scored on his debut against Southampton on Sunday - has provided the Blues with a midfield bite that has been lacking this season, despite the summer recruitment of Mark Kosznovszky (also injured) and Luke Le Roux.
The centre of midfield remains an area of keen interest over the remaining six days of the transfer window, with Pompey actively pursuing a move for Sheffield Wednesday favourite Svante Ingelsson.
Competition for his signature has emerged from Championship rivals Millwall, while Derby have also been mentioned in some reports.
Whether or not the Swede is next on the Blues’ transfer hit-list, or whether the Championship strugglers will opt to recruit a centre-half before Saturday’s visit of the Baggies remains to be seen.
In the meantime, though, Mousinho has given impatient fans hope that signing number four isn’t far too away as he provided a transfer update ahead of Saturday’s hugely important game at Fratton Park.
When asked about the potential for signings before the match against Eric Ramsay’s side, Mousinho told his traditional Wednesday press conference: ‘Maybe one and then I think the rest of our business will be done by Monday night.’
Before the transfer window opened, the Blues boss said the club would be targeting 3-6 signings before Monday night’s 7pm deadline.
Pompey already have three signings through the door, but that final figure could increase given the issues at centre-back that have emerged over the past week.
Indeed, Conor Shaughnessy, Regan Poole, Josh Knight and Hayden Matthews were all unable to start the game against Southampton due to injury.
The Blues also want to add competition up front for Colby Bishop, while another winger cannot be discounted before the deadline.
In order for Pompey to add to their ranks, however, outgoings are also needed. Alternatively, the Blues will contemplate de-registering players in order to fulfl their 25-man squad obligations, leaving them sidelined for the rest of the season.
For your next Pompey read: ‘Real challenge on our hands’: Portsmouth boss’ transfer admission as window reaches climax