ASSISTANT manager Jim Smith admits Portsmouth striker Ricardo Fuller remains a possible transfer target - as back-up to Peter Crouch.

But any firm move for the 25-year-old will depend upon boss Harry Redknapp's success in recruiting other players in the next few days.

"We are very limited to how many players we can bring in," explained Smith.

"We are looking to try and maximise that to the best positions.

"If we get two in certain positions it will be 'no' to Ricardo, but if we only get one it will be 'yes' to Ricardo.

"Harry is working on trying to bring a player in and hopefully he's successful.

"I'm not that confident Ricardo is going to happen, but it's a possibility."

Fuller has only scored one Premiership goal in 11 starts and ten substitute appearances for Pompey since Redknapp signed him on a pay-as-you-play deal from Preston earlier this season.

The Jamaican 6ft 3in striker had made a name for himself as a quick and skilful forward after scoring 26 goals in 56 league appearances during two years at Deepdale.

Smith said: "He hasn't got the goals we thought he could have got but he's strong and he works very hard and he upsets defences.

"You need strength because if anything happens with Crouchie you are struggling a little bit for a big, tall guy with some strength.

"He is exciting. If it ever comes off it would be a permanent deal."

Fuller would be the second Portsmouth player to follow Redknapp to Saints during the current January transfer window after the £2.1m signing of Nigel Quashie.

Pompey chairman Milan Mandaric had indicated earlier in the week that he would be prepared to do business with Saints over Fuller, but was yesterday in a less conciliatory frame of mind.

He said: "I'm not in the mood to help Rupert (Lowe) or Southampton but we will be prepared to let other clubs talk to him."

Kevin Phillips (ankle) and cup-tied Quashie (knee) both look to be targeting the Premiership clash at Birmingham next Wednesday to return from injury.

Smith hinted that Saints might opt for an unchanged team against Pompey following the impressive display in the 2-0 win against Liverpool last week, where Crouch played as a lone striker in a 4-5-1 formation.

"We wouldn't risk anyone, but if there is the slightest doubt over Kevin we will keep him for Birmingham," said Smith.

"Nigel is cup-tied so there won't be many changes from Saturday's performance and I don't think there should be."

Fabrice Fernandes, meanwhile, is recovering well from his hamstring strain although is unlikely to feature as early as Saturday.

Graeme Le Saux has resumed running and should return to training shortly.

Meanwhile, speculation has again linked Saints with a move for Roma's out-of-favour Egyptian striker Mido, whose loan move to Spurs has fallen through. Redknapp admitted last week that chairman Rupert Lowe had been in discussions with the player's agent.