EDDIE Howe admits he is "in limbo" as he waits for his possible loan extension to be approved.

The popular defender's loan spell from Portsmouth expired after Friday's win over Stockport and he has been back training with the Fratton Park outfit this week as he waits to hear on any agreement between the clubs.

But Pompey boss Harry Redknapp is reluctant to let him out on loan for a third month while injuries to defenders Arjan De Zeeuw and Dejan Stefanovic stretch his squad resources.

That leaves Cherries waiting with collective fingers crossed to find out if Howe will be able to continue his impressive form at the heart of the defence for the visit of Port Vale this Saturday.

Howe told the Daily Echo: "I have no idea what is going on. I hear one story from one person and something else from another so I am in limbo a bit at the moment.

"I have spoken to Harry a few times since I've been back and he told me he needed me for a couple of days but it depends on the injury front. He needs to know if people will be fit and he said he should know in the next couple of days."

Regular Pompey centre-backs De Zeeuw and Stefanovic have both been out injured but are making good progress ahead of their Premiership clash with Tottenham on Monday night.

Howe said: "They were both training yesterday but we didn't do any ball work - it was just running. I think they both came through it okay but we'll have to wait to see if they have any reaction."

The 26-year-old is clearly keen to play his final month of a maximum three-month stay at Dean Court after putting his injury misery behind him to enjoy his football once again.

But the prospect of proving himself as a Premiership footballer is an attractive proposition which is difficult to ignore if the opportunity is there.

Howe, who recently scored Cherries' decisive penalty in the recent Carling Cup shock at Blackburn, revealed it is now an odd experience to be training alongside a different set of team-mates once again.

He said: "I suppose it is a bit strange. You get used to training at one club and then all of a sudden you are back at another one. It is certainly different but there is not much I can do other than wait."

Pompey boss Redknapp told BBC Radio Solent: "I will help Eddie all I can, he's a good lad, but if Bournemouth want to take him they will have to pay his wages obviously.

"I am short on defenders and it is up to Eddie now he is back, lets see how he has come on in the last two months.

"He is a good player and a great pro but he has just had problems with his injuries. Maybe these two months he has played have brought him on a lot, let's see how it goes."

The issue of Howe's wages remains unclear.

Playershare have footed the bill of a percentage of the defender's wages and although Redknapp hinted that the arrangement would need to change if a third month was agreed, Howe insisted that a deal had been all-but struck between Redknapp and Cherries boss Sean O'Driscoll on Monday.

He said: "I believe Sean spoke to Harry on Monday and it was virtually agreed.

"I don't know anything about the agreement over wages being changed. Sean didn't mention anything about that."

He added: "I'm not totally sure on the rules for these things. I am presuming I can still sign an extension on Friday and be free to play on Saturday but I am waiting on a phonecall.

"Hopefully it can all be sorted out in time for Saturday's game."