Crocked Long set to make way for Pompey striker recruit

Saturday’s game marked the end of his initial one-month loan move from Burnley.

But the central defender was unable to finish the job after being forced off after 45 minutes with a back problem.

Michael Appleton had been mulling over whether to extend the loans of either Long or Conor Clifford.

However, following Long’s injury, it appears that decision has been taken out of his hands.

The Blues boss is now hoping to bring in a striker before tomorrow’s visit of Swindon to take Long’s place in the squad.

He said: ‘That injury probably means we won’t be renewing Kevin’s loan.

‘There is no point taking a lad on loan who can’t play for us or train with us, especially when you can only pick 20 anyway.

‘It kept seizing up on him a little bit during the game, he was having a few back spasms.

‘I was not aware of anything before, it’s a new one and we will assess it and then make a decision.

‘We expect to get a striker in before tomorrow and more than likely it will be a loan.

‘I think it will give everyone a bit of a lift as well and certainly keep the strikers we have got on their toes.

‘It is always good and healthy to have competition for places, which we haven’t got a great deal of at the minute in certain areas of the field. So it will be nice to bring a little bit of competition in.’

– NEIL ALLEN