Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley admits he is hoping to secure a loan move for Newcastle United veteran Matt Ritchie.

The League One boss acknowledges that the 33-year-old, who is out of favor at Newcastle, would massively improve his team.

However, Cowley also accepts his financial reality, and knows that a move for Ritchie either on loan or permanently would be a tough one for Pompey to get over the line.

He told The News: "I'd like him, is that possible?

“Well, we'd love to have Matt Ritchie. I'm not sure we'd be able to cover his wages coming to Portsmouth, though!

'That said, he loves the club and he's been to a couple of games with his boys. We'd like him - I think our xG would go up then and there will be no moaning about set-pieces! I do think he will finish his career at Portsmouth, though."