Andrew Moon

Even as the Pompey team bus was heading north through the rain towards Preston, a journey logged at five hours and four minutes by Google Maps, so the Lancashire Post was polling Preston fans for their reaction to Preston's transfer activities.

It seems the Deepdale juries are out on Callum Lang the consensus being that he is an excellent footballer who brings creativity and energy, but most of those whose opinions are aired place a question mark over his injury record.

Callum who was anxious to go back to his home territory and is now playing his football a short ride away from his beloved Merseyside, has yet to make public comment about either leaving Pompey or his homecoming.

In addition there is understandably no word on whether he is either eligible or fit enough to play on Saturday, and Pompey are likewise keeping a closed book on the eligibility of their new players, and which if any of them will be turning out in their kit either for the start of the game, or to take their place on the bench.

Here's the BBC's Andrew Moon on Pompey's transfer window.

With Monday's transfer deadline fast approaching, defender Jacob Farrell is attracting plenty of interest, and John Massinio has now clarified Pompey's position.

The club has given Jacob Farrell the green light to find a loan move before the window closes.

Massinho feels that letting the Australian youngster get some game time away from Fratton Park is the fair thing to do before everything wraps up on Monday evening.

However, the Pompey head coach also stressed that he's comfortable with the left-back staying put for the rest of the season if a suitable deal can't be found.

After a spell in England plagued by injuries, Massinho acknowledged that what the 23-year-old really needs for his own development is regular minutes on the pitch, which would also help the club protect its investment.

There's believed to be a lot of interest in Farrell this month, from sides in Denmark, Australia, Scotland and England.

Those options are starting to dry up, as clubs find other players and the clock ticks down to Monday's 7pm deadline.

A move is vital for the player himself, who likely still harbours hopes of making the World Cup squad next summer with the Socceroos.

That dream is almost certainly over if the former Central Coast Mariners man doesn't get a move.

Still, Massigno has been clear that his first priority is protecting Pompey's own threadbare squad amid an ongoing injury crisis.

That probably means getting through Saturday's match against West Brom is the first hurdle, which could set up a last-minute scramble for Farrell to find a temporary new home in the final hours of the window.

John Massigno is saying this.

The BBC's Andrew Moon says this.

Portsmouth head coach John Massinio told BBC Radio.

It's an ever-changing game, football, isn't it?