Jesper Ceesay was not issued with a governing body endorsement (GBE) visa by the FA [Getty Images] Portsmouth's attempts to sign Gambia midfielder Jesper Ceesay have fallen through after the player was denied a governing body endorsement (GBE) visa by the FA. The 24-year-old, who plays for Turkish side Antalyaspor, was a summer target for Pompey as they looked to bolster their midfield, but a technicality left them unable to complete the transfer. The FA issues a GBE to players from abroad with a 15-point threshold and clubs are then allowed four 'elite significant contribution' (ESC) slots for players who are not granted this endorsement. Pompey were hopeful Ceesay would qualify for a full GBE but the FA's reclassification of the Turkish top-flight league means he falls short of that threshold. "That (transfer) is not one that we're going to be able to do," Pompey boss John Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent. "It's because of the reclassification of the Turkish league by the FA. It's frustrating as that change came in July and the points that you accumulate from previously playing in a top league are no longer valid unfortunately." Portsmouth's four ESC slots are currently full and Ceesay would not be eligible for one because players must be 23 and under as part of the criteria.
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Portsmouth begin their Championship season on Saturday with a home game against QPR and have been dealt some tough injury news before the opener. Striker Thomas Waddingham had to be substituted just moments after coming on during Saturday's Carabao Cup match against West Ham United after being on the receiving end of a heavy challenge. Mousinho revealed the Australian striker may need to undergo surgery. "Wadds has unfortunately sustained an ankle injury," he said. "It's touch and go if he's going to need surgery at the moment. If he doesn't then we're probably looking from six to 10 weeks but if he does, then we'd be looking beyond that. "Maybe we're a bit light now (in the striker department) but there are other areas of priority and then maybe we might do something at the back end of the window." In another setback, Mousinho also revealed striker Franco Umeh has torn his hamstring and is facing a "significant period" on the sidelines. Defender Conor Ogilvie is still some time away from returning but Marlon Pack and Josh Murphy have been back in training and hope to make it back for Pompey's second league game of the season at Lincoln on 22 August.
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