Pompey exploring free agent goalkeeping options

And Darryl Flahavan, who is currently training with the club, is under consideration.

Brian Murphy remains the only fit shot-stopper at Fratton Park following injuries to his rivals.

Paul Jones (thigh), Ryan Fulton (thigh) and Alex Bass (knee) continue to be sidelined ahead of Saturday’s visit of Northampton.

But it is their availability for the play-offs which is providing a headache, leaving Cook without a substitute keeper.

The Blues have already been told by the Football League they are not entitled to an emergency loan.

To fulfil such criteria, all their keepers must be ruled out.

However, bringing in a free agent remains a solution, with Cook currently on the lookout for realistic candidates.

Flahavan has been training with the Blues since leaving Crawley in January and is an option.

He made 14 appearances for the Red Devils during the first half of the campaign, although failed to agree terms on a longer stay.

Since then he has worked with Blues goalkeeping coach Scott Bevan at the training ground to maintain his fitness.

Intriguingly, ex-Pompey keeper Jamie Ashdown announced on his Facebook account at the weekend that he would be interested in a return to football.

The 35-year-old, who made 123 appearances before his Blues departure in the summer of 2012, initially retired in August.

Regardless, Cook remains happy with Murphy as a number one.

The ex-QPR player produced a man-of-the-match display at Hartlepool in last weekend’s 2-0 success, taking his Pompey clean sheet tally to 11 in 24 appearances.