Pompey manager Alan Ball's desire to increase his strike force has been sharpened by news that Steve Claridge could miss the start of the new campaign.

Claridge underwent knee surgery this week and that could put his pre-season build-up back sufficiently for him to miss the big kick-off.

The knee problem was a legacy of a car accident Claridge suffered a few months ago and Ball said: "It was one of those that we hoped might have been cured by a bit of rest but that hasn't proved the case. It was going to need surgery at some time and rather than put it off we decided now was as good a time as any to have it done."

But Ball says his hunt for strikers won't be influenced either way by Claridge's injury. "I was always going to bring in two strikers," said Ball, who will start renegotiations with Spurs boss George Graham over forward Rory Allen.

Graham turned down Ball's original offer which would have made Allen Pompey's first ever million-pound man and Ball said: "I have got permission from the chairman to go back and increase the offer if I think it's right but we'll see. I have got other irons in the fire and I'm not going to be held to ransom by clubs just because they think we've now got some money to spend."

Ball has also targeted a number of goalkeepers - including Charlton's Andy Petterson, and Tranmere's Danny Coyne - to vie with Aaron Flahavan for the number one jersey and, in a week when he signed Ipswich defender Jason Cundy, Ball said: "I've not finished yet. I want to strengthen in all departments and there will be a few more signings yet."

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