The Portsmouth transfer conundrum weighing on John Mousinho's mind ahead of window’s climax
Pompey have made nine signings so far this summer, with that number expected to increase in the final 10 days of the window.
John Mousinho is unsure whether Pompey have the squad space to recruit another new forward this summer.
Although, the head coach has dropped a hint at the areas he still wants to strengthen before the transfer window closes.
It’s expected to be a busy climax to the market at Fratton Park, with at least three arrivals anticipated before the September 1 deadline (11pm).
The Aussie, 21, is set to miss at least 10 weeks of action after suffering a serious ankle issue against West Ham, which required surgery.
Twenty-six-year-old Burton Albion forward Tyrese Shade has since been linked with a move to Fratton Park and is expected to depart the Pirelli Stadium before the close of the window amid Championship interest.
But the likelihood of any attacking additions or other signings being made is complicated by Pompey’s squad size, which currently sits at 34.
Of that high figure, five players - including Waddingham - don’t have to be included in the Blues’ official 25-man squad that will be submitted to the EFL following the conclusion of transfer window activity due to their age.
That means the Blues currently have four players too many if they want avoid deregistering some for the first half of the season.
And with squad places maxed out at present, the head coach is facing a tough transfer conundrum ahead of the September 1 climax.
The tough transfer conundrum facing Pompey boss
He told The News: ‘It’s tough with Wadds (Waddingham). Wadds was not part of the squad list (players registered over the age of 21) because of his age.
‘So if you’ve got a player that you weren’t going to register for whatever reason you can take off because they’re injured then you can fill that spot.
‘Wadds, because he’s under the age of 21, a squad space hasn’t opened up despite him being out for that period of time. So I’m not sure what we’re going to do there.’
The positions Pompey are looking to fill in the window
Although Pompey have 34 senior players in their ranks, the Blues are still looking to strengthen ahead of the window’s closure.
A versatile forward is on Mousinho’s shopping list, while left-back and central midfield are areas which require some surgery in the final 10 days.
But the head coach was giving very little away over the final pieces of business he is still looking to conduct this summer.
‘I’ll tell you on September 2,’ Mousinho joked when asked about the positions he still wants to bolster before the transfer deadline.
‘You can have a good bit of speculation on that but I don’t think there'll be too many surprises there.
‘Nothing ahead of the weekend (against Lincoln City). I know it is relatively soon but there is still a huge amount of time left and it’s going to be quite an important 11 or 12 days.’