‘Scope in the budget’: Portsmouth boss debates entering free agent market after transfer window’s close
But the Pompey boss will currently resist the temptation to look to bring in out-of-contract players – despite having scope in the playing budget to do so.
Mousinho insisted he’s content with his squad after bringing in 14 new faces this summer, and believes there are the options at his disposal to deal with his squad’s current injuries and suspensions.
He said: ‘At the moment no, because we’re happy with where we are with the squad.
‘That’s one of the reasons, I supposed, why we wanted the number of players we managed to sign.
‘That’s because of when we find ourselves where we are now, which is not with a massive injury list but enough where we have Kusini, Anthony Scully and Tom Lowery as longish injuries alongside Josh Dockerill.
‘Then when you add two or three shorter-term ones like Gavin Whyte, for example, then you have to really fall back on our squad.
‘If we need to do one there’s plenty of scope (in terms of budget) to go and do that.
‘But, at the moment, we’re really happy with where we are squadwise – but I’d say never say never.’
There are a stack of players still on the lookout for clubs, after their existing deals came to a close last summer.
Ryan Tunnicliffe and Jayden Reid are a couple of examples, after they departed Fratton Park in the summer.
Mousinho explained a consideration for him over making such a move is the amount of time needed to get a player fit.
He added: ‘It’s quite difficult with the out-of-contract players.
‘There’s a couple of things. First of all, fitness is always an issue and it can take a while to get them up to scratch.
‘Contract-wise it can also be a tricky one in terms of what players will come and sign for – but we’re happy with where we are.’
Kusini Yengi relishing Portsmouth return – and lifts lid on ‘freak incident’ which halted explosive start
The Australian is on the comeback trail after being sidelined for the Blues’ last five matches with ligament damage to his right ankle.
Yengi sustained the injury in training, following a collision with team-mate Christian Saydee as both attempted to win the ball.
Pompey boss John Mousinho insists the 24-year-old is recovering quicker than expected, although anticipates it could be up to four weeks before he’s back in action.
In the meantime, the striker who netted four times in his opening three appearances is upbeat as he closes in on his return.
Yengi told The News: ‘It’s not too long now, everything seems to be feeling good so far.
‘It was an incident which happens in training, just competing, I went in for a challenge and then out the worse.
‘I went to win the ball and another player came in to win the ball at the same time. Our legs got tangled and then I ended up on the floor. When I tried to get up I just could feel my ankle.
‘It was nothing to do with the pitch or anything like that, it was an unfortunate incident in training, a freak incident, and Christian (Saydee) was involved!
‘Things happen in football and I’m in my rehab now and when I get back onto the pitch hopefully I can reproduce what I was doing.
‘It was a great start, but I still have plenty more to give and am looking forward to getting back onto the pitch. It’s very frustrating sitting on the sidelines watching the boys play.
‘I came here expecting to do well. Maybe not to score four in the first three, but I knew I was coming here to score goals and do well.
‘My rehab isn’t too long now, it’s a week-by-week thing. I will slowly start jogging, then running, and, before you know it, will be back training with the boys.’
It’s the longest Yengi has been sidelined from football through injury since December 2021.
On that occasion, an issue with his right quad required surgery, keeping him out for three-and-a-half months.
He added: ‘I wouldn’t say I’ve had injury issues in the past, I’ve had normal injuries that people have in their football career.
‘I did have that one big surgery a couple of years ago, but that was also a freak incident in training, out of no-where.
‘I’ve just had a few unfortunate things.’
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