OPINION: Why Portsmouth must loosen the purse strings in January to sign Notts County and ex-Scunthorpe man Kyle Wootton to boost promotion chances

The Blues have been heavily linked with the 25-year-old who has spearheaded the Magpies’ current promotion charge towards League Two.

Despite his contract expiring at the end of the season, it’s imperative Danny Cowley is given the funds to bring him to Fratton Park next month.

It’s no secret that goals have been hard to come by this term, with John Marquis stuttering, George Hirst still finding his feet, and Gassan Ahadme’s time on the south coast coming to a premature end.

And the club’s odds of returning to the Championship at the season’s end most certainly hangs on the actions taken over the next month.

Wootton is now ready-made for the EFL after dropping into non-league following underwhelming spells at Scunthorpe and Stevenage.

But don’t let the formative years of his career dictate the opinion of a potential Pompey move, as his goal record this term already highlights his prolific tendencies.

The forward has already scored 12 goals in all competitions this season, including four in his last three outings – while scoring 45 times in two-and-a-half seasons at Meadow Lane.

At 6”2”, he’s the exact mould of striker Cowley wishes to lead his line, too.

This was seen in the fruitless pursuit of Jayden Stockley who stands at 6”3”.

But Wootton isn’t a stereotypical target man, despite his towering presence.