With just two weeks of the transfer window remaining, the clock is ticking on Pompey’s search for a front-line right winger.
And it’s a hunt which has absorbed further urgency following the unfortunate hamstring injury which Callum Lang picked up during Saturday’s defeat to Norwich.
At present, it’s not clear how long the popular Liverpudlian will be out for. A similar issue last season saw him miss 10 of the Blues’ final 13 games of their maiden season back in the Championship.
Coupled with Harvey Blair’s continued absence because of his own hamstring struggles, Pompey’s options look increasingly limited for the right-wing berth.
New loan signings Florian Bianchini and Minhyeok Yang are, of course, there to step in if needs be. Meanwhile, Terry Devlin is also capable of filling in as he continues to prove his versatility to the Pompey cause.
However, the perceived opinion remains, if the Blues want to build on last season’s 16th-place finish and avoid another brush with relegation, then a suitable replacement for the departing Matt Ritchie is needed before the transfer window closes at 7pm on Monday, September 1.
The Blues have been no strangers to the foreign transfer window this summer, with three of their six signings to date recruited from clubs abroad. The adjustment period currently needed by both midfielders Mark Kosznovszky and Luke Le Roux, though, suggests another new arrival from outside these shores could require similar time to settle in.
Yet, Pompey don’t really have that luxury. The season may be just two match-days old, but there’s little time to waste.
With that in mind, we’ve been casting our eye over potential realistic targets who know the Championship terrain already, who - in some instances - appear to be out of favour at their current clubs, and can start straight away, if needs be.
Some may prove out of the Blues’ price range, while others might only be possible via a loan switch. Nevertheless, these are options Pompey could very well be exploring as they attempt to solve their current right-wing conundrum in the coming days.
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5. Ian Poveda - Sunderland
The London-born Columbia international will find game time hard to come by at the Stadium of Light following Sunderland's promotion to the Premier League and their huge outlay on new signings with summer. Poveda, who is available for transfer, boasts Manchester City, Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday among his list of former clubs. | Getty Images
6. Abu Kamara - Hull City
You might be aware that a certain Abu Kamara, formerly of the Fratton Park parish, looks poised to leave Hull City. Pompey remain huge admirers of their former player - but Getafe lead Rangers and Birmingham in the race for his signature. Pompey fans would love a reunion, but finances look poised to scupper any chance of that happening. | Getty Images
7. Anis Ben Slimane - Norwich City
The 24-year-old Tunisa international hasn't been involved in any of new Canaries boss Liam Manning's three match-day squads this season - including Saturday's 2-1 win over Pompey. The winger has played in the Premier League for Sheffield Wednesday and the Danish SuperLiga with Brondby and is valued at €2.7m by flashscore.co.uk. | Getty Images
8. Duncan Watmore - free agent
The 31-year-old remains a free agent following his Millwall departure at the end of last season. The former Middlesbrough winger featured 26 times and scored five goals for the Lions last season as they finished just outside the play-off places in eighth. Whatmore played in two of Milwall's three victories over Pompey last term. | Getty Images