Pompey have been plagued with injuries across the back-line this season with captain Clark Robertson and Paul Downing facing lengthy spells on the sidelines.
This has seen the former Lincoln boss adapt to his personnel crisis by shoehorning midfielders and full-backs into a back-three.
And the Blues have suffered dearly as a consequence by conceding 11 goals in their last five league games.
However, it may not be as easy at it appears to bring new faces into the club with the January window notoriously difficult to operate in.
As a result, Cowley may have to look for a short-term fix by looking towards the free agents, or at those whose current deals are set to expire.
Click through the list to see who could arrive on the south coast on a free transfer or for a cut-price deal.
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And the Blues have suffered dearly as a consequence by conceding 11 goals in their last five league games.