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Portsmouth boss hopeful of transfer budget increase at window’s climax The latest from the Pompey boss today on funding transfer business, as the Blues face up to a potentially lengthy loss of striker Thomas Waddingham. John Mousinho believes there’s potential leeway for a Pompey budget increase after their striker setback. The Blues boss insisted there’s ‘room for discussions’ over stretching resources, after the injury blow to Thomas Waddingham. Pompey boss on increasing budget: ‘There’s room for discussions there’ But Mousinho knows his club’s football operation needs to be smart in the manner they look to cover the loss of Waddingham, as they push forward with their transfer business. Pompey are looking to continue their recruitment, which has accelerated over the past couple of weeks, with eight players through the door to date. Chelsea’s Ryan Kavuma-McQueen is set to become signing number nine, as the teenager arrives on loan for the season. The Blues are looking to add another three players before 11pm on September 1, with a full-back and midfielder still required. It’s another player who can cover the No9 which is also needed, however, with Mousinho indicating a versatile option who can play across the front line will be sought. No specific transfer talks are planned with the Eisners visiting for the Championship opener with QPR, though Mousinho feels there’s potential to push the financial parameters. When asked if there’s a budget for a new striker, Mousinho told The News: ‘It doesn’t fit. ‘It doesn’t fit at the minute because we didn’t anticipate it, but there’s room for discussions there. ‘What we can’t do is just go out and sign a 30-year-old centre-forward just for the sake of it. ‘We can’t do that to just plug the gap, because we’ve lost one. ‘We spoke last year about how difficult it is to recruit with Colby (Bishop) in the building. ‘It was difficult because we had a front-line centre-forward - now we have two front-line centre-forwards. ‘It’s a difficult one, that’s why Wadds was a perfect one to come in this year. ‘If he needed to start, he was ready to start. He could come in and play. ‘That’s why it’s disappointing that he’s unfortunately fallen victim to the injury.’ The loss of Waddingham is particularly frustrating, given the Aussie didn’t take up a precious squad place - with Pompey working to a 25-man limit. Contracted under-21 players do not take up one of those berths, with any other new addition requiring a slot unless they fall into that category. That’s pointing towards a versatile attacker arriving to give Pompey No9 cover. Speaking to The News earlier this week, Mousinho said: 'Part of the issue with Wadds and difficulty is he didn’t count in terms of squad numbers. That was extremely useful. ‘So if we have to replace him we haven’t accounted for that. 'That’s not over an out-and-out centre-forward but someone who can play across the front line. Someone who can do a job out wide, up front or as a 10 as well. ‘A good example would be Langy (Callum Lang) who was extremely flexible and someone we played up front a couple of times. He played every position across the front four in his time here.’