Appy in move to keep Thomas

BLUES boss Michael Appleton will this week ramp up his attempts to keep Wes Thomas.

The striker has just three more matches left at Pompey before his loan spell is up.

That deal with Bournemouth expires after the trip to Sheffield United on October 29.

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Yet Appleton is desperate to retain the loan services of a player who has made a massive impact since arriving.

Thomas has scored twice in five matches since making his debut against Scunthorpe.

In addition, his partnership with Izale McLeod continues to flourish.

During that time, McLeod has discovered his best form for Pompey, netting in each of his past four matches.

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The weekend appointment of Eddie Howe as the Cherries’ new boss may scupper the chances of a long-term loan stay for Thomas.

Nonetheless, Appleton will be approaching his opposite number this week to gauge the situation,

He said: ‘Wes’ loan spell ends after the Sheffield United game and we want him back.

‘We will ask Bournemouth this week.

‘They had a good win on Saturday so we will start politely asking the questions to see what the scenario would be come the end of the month and take it from there.

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‘Hopefully they have enough in their armoury as it is. They certainly have a big enough squad, anyway.

‘Wes seems to be happy here and he is playing well enough.

‘I thought he and Izale were magnificent for 55-60 minutes against MK Dons.

‘To be fair, you also only have to take your mind back to the Yeovil game for the first hour or so when they caused absolute havoc.

‘I think we all know that when they are right on it as a pairing they are very good.

‘We’ll see what happens.’

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While Appleton attempts to prolong Thomas’ stay, the immediate future of the rest of the squad is clearer.

The Blues have renewed the deals of their non-loan players for an additional month.

The majority of the squad’s existing contracts expired after Saturday’s visit of Crewe. However, they have now put pen to paper to stay for another month at Fratton Park.

That includes Simon Eastwood, Mustapha Dumbuya, Jon Harley, Brian Howard, Lee Williamson, Jack Compton, McLeod, Luke Rodgers, Liam Walker and Gabor Gyepes.

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The likes of Johnny Ertl, Darel Russell, Josh Thompson and Lubomir Michalik are not scheduled to renew their deals until later in the month.

In the meantime, Mikkel Andersen and Jordan Obita will have their loans from Reading renewed.

In addition, Ashley Harris and Adam Webster remain on long-term deals having signed them before the current squad restrictions on Pompey were put in place.

Appleton added: ‘They have all signed, apart from the two kids (Harris and Webster).’