That's after problems with Louis Thompson, Tom Lowery, Marlon Pack and Joe Morrell have whittled the Blues engine room to just two available faces.
Indeed, Danny Cowley could be faced with another challenge should Morrell receive a call-up for Wales in the upcoming World Cup.
But if their injury situation in the middle of the park worsens, who could Pompey turn to if they need a short-term fix.
We’ve found seven midfielders, who are without a club, Cowley could eye should they explore the free agent market.
1. Tom Carroll
The 30-year-old was once subject to a £4.5m move to Swansea in the Premier League in 2017 after coming through the ranks at Tottenham. The deep-lying midfielder arrived at Ipswich in 2021 after being recruited under Paul Cook. However, 12 months later, Carroll departed Portman Road after just 14 league outings for the Tractor Boys and remains without a club. Photo: Alex Davidson
2. Danny Drinkwater
It would take an audacious effort to bring the former Premier League winner to Fratton Park with high wages a big factor. Once signed by Chesea for £35m in 2017, the midfielder made 23 appearances during his five-year stay, which included four different loan spells. The 32-year-old is now without a club after being released by the Blues in the summer after a season-long stay with Reading last term, where he made 33 Championship outings. Photo: Harry Trump
3. Josh Harrop
Harrop came through the ranks at Manchester United, where he netted a stunning goal in his only Premier League appearance for the Red Devils under Jose Mourinho. The attacking midfielder joined Preston in 2017, where he scored seven goals in 83 outings for the Lilywhites, before being released in the summer. The 26-year-old spent time on loan last season with Fleetwood but failed to score in his five outings in League One. Photo: Lewis Storey
4. Wes Hoolahan
The veteran midfielder is without a club after being released from Cambridge following a highly successful two-year stay at the Abbey Stadium. The 40-year-old made 320 league outings for Norwich in the Premier League and Championship, scoring 47 goals, and has also amassed 43 international appearances for the Republic of Ireland. Last term, Hoolahan featured 26 times for the U’s in League One. Photo: PAUL ELLIS