Avram Grant wants Sturridge and Belletti in January

The new Portsmouth boss Avram Grant is looking to reinforce Portsmouth’s depleted squad, and it is being reported today that he is going to go cap in hand to his old club Chelsea for help.

The News of the World says that Grant is keen to take Daniel Sturridge and Juliano Belletti on loan until the end of the season.

Portsmouth are currently under a transfer embargo until all their debts are paid, but the NOTW says that Chief Executive Peter Storrie is confident that the ban will be lifted in time for January.

Belletti has only made two starts for the Blues this season, but came on as a sub in yesterday’s match with Man City, while Sturridge is yet to make his Premier League debut.

The major stumbling block to any deal may be that Carlo Ancelotti will want to keep Sturridge as cover for when Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba go to the African Nations Cup next month.