The Blues boss have been left with 18-year-old Dan Gifford as the only number 10 to call upon with the season just weeks away.
Seventeen strikers have already been linked with a Fratton Park move this summer, with names including Kion Etete, Kyle Wootton, George Hirst, Cole Stockton and Colby Bishop all being credited with a potential move to PO4.
But as Pompey’s attacking crisis continues, how active have the Blues’ rivals been in the forward department this window?
We’ve taken a look at the 10 strikers who have been signed by League One clubs so far this summer.
Here’s who’s been on the move.
But as Pompey’s attacking crisis continues, how active have the Blues’ rivals been in the forward department this window?
![Morton spent last term on loan with Fleetwood but has since made his stay permanent, penning a three-year deal from West Brom. Last term, the 22-year-old scored seven goals in all competitions as the Cod Army escaped the drop to League Two.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmQ1ODA2MzJlLWRmZWQtNGNhYi1iNzI4LWZmMDUzNTQxOTc5Yjo4OWU4ZjI4Zi01ZGE5LTQxM2MtYjhlMC04ZmRhZTQ5YTczOGM=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
5. Callum Morton
Morton spent last term on loan with Fleetwood but has since made his stay permanent, penning a three-year deal from West Brom. Last term, the 22-year-old scored seven goals in all competitions as the Cod Army escaped the drop to League Two.Photo: Naomi Baker
![The 29-year-old joined Ipswich from Rotherham after he turned down a new deal to stay with the Millers. Despite handing in a transfer request in January, Ladapo netted 15 times in 41 outings in all competitions as he helped Paul Warne’s side to promotion.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjRjMGM0NjUyLTY5YjUtNGJmMS1hMzc1LTUyNWY5ZDliN2Q4MzplMjAzMTVkNS0yMDQwLTRlN2UtYWI5Ni0zMWFmZmE0YzY1YTc=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
6. Freddie Ladapo
The 29-year-old joined Ipswich from Rotherham after he turned down a new deal to stay with the Millers. Despite handing in a transfer request in January, Ladapo netted 15 times in 41 outings in all competitions as he helped Paul Warne’s side to promotion.Photo: George Wood
![The 21-year-old penned a season-long loan with Ipswich at the end of June. The striker joined Sheffield Wednesday in January for the remainder of the campaign but returned to the Gunners a month later due to a season-ending injury.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmJmYzEyMjM3LTZmNGMtNGRjZC1iYzgzLWIwYjZhOTM2NWExNTo1ODcwODFhNy03YTU1LTQ3ZTAtOGY0Yy03Y2JlNmNiMWQwMjQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
7. Tyreece John-Jules
The 21-year-old penned a season-long loan with Ipswich at the end of June. The striker joined Sheffield Wednesday in January for the remainder of the campaign but returned to the Gunners a month later due to a season-ending injury.Photo: George Wood
![Dennis became the Dons’ fist signing of the summer, joining from Norwich for an undisclosed fee. The 20-year-old spent last term on loan at National League Southend, where he scored eight goals in 16 games for the Shrimpers.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjcwMGIxMmRkLWU5ODktNGMxYS1hNDI5LTE3ZDdhMWQ1YjNmMTo1YjNlNjU0ZS03YzUyLTQ3MjEtODU2Yy04NjhlNjJiZjEwODY=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
8. Matt Dennis
Dennis became the Dons’ fist signing of the summer, joining from Norwich for an undisclosed fee. The 20-year-old spent last term on loan at National League Southend, where he scored eight goals in 16 games for the Shrimpers.Photo: James Chance