England defender Glen Johnson makes his comeback from an ankle injury as Portsmouth bid to end their five-match winless run at home to big-spending Manchester City.

Portsmouth will begin their defence of the FA Cup against Bristol City without striker Jermain Defoe, who missed training today after phoning in sick with a virus.

England defender Glen Johnson has been forced to put attempts to make a comeback in Portsmouth’s St Stephen's Day clash with West Ham on hold after breaking down in training.

Portsmouth manager Tony Adams will be without Younes Kaboul (ankle) and John Utaka (hip) for the trip to Bolton.

TONY ADAMS is still in the embryonic stage of his managerial career, but already the Portsmouth boss has honed the art of the outspoken comment.

Portsmouth midfielder Armand Traore is a major doubt for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League trip to West Brom.

PAUL INCE has remained steadfast in backing his Blackburn side during their recent struggles, but yesterday the Guv’nor’s patience finally snapped.

Striker Jermain Defoe and midfielder Niko Kranjcar are back in contention for places in the Portsmouth team at home to Blackburn on Sunday but skipper Sol Campbell (toe) is likely to miss out again.

Portsmouth’s fears that Jermain Defoe and Lassana Diarra would need surgery have lifted after both players were examined by specialists.

Portsmouth are hopeful Jermain Defoe will have recovered from a calf injury sustained on England duty to face Hull at Fratton Park tomorrow but skipper Sol Campbell (toe) and midfielders Lassana Diarra and Niko Kranjcar (both ankle) are out.

TONY ADAMS has warned Portsmouth owner Alexandre Gaydamak that he will quit as manager if the club sells Jermain Defoe — or any other players he wants to keep — in the January transfer window.

Captain Sol Campbell could again be missing from Portsmouth’s defence for their Barclays Premier League clash with West Ham at Upton Park after suffering a toe injury.

Niko Kranjcar is in line to make his first start for Portsmouth since the opening day of the Barclays Premier League season when manager Tony Adams takes his team to Sunderland

TONY ADAMS insists he will get results from his crowd-pleasing Portsmouth team even though the new manager’s luck remained as wretched as the weather which enveloped the south coast on Saturday.

Portsmouth could recall right-back Glen Johnson for tomorrow’s home Barclays Premier League match against Wigan after three games out with a groin injury.

Portsmouth hope captain Sol Campbell will recover from tight hamstrings in time for the trip to Barclays Premier League leaders Liverpool tomorrow.

Portsmouth’s injury list is growing after Thursday’s UEFA Cup flop in Braga with Glen Johnson (pelvis) and Glen Little (torn hamstring) joining the casualties ahead of Sunday’s Barclays Premier League clash at home to Fulham.

THE Football Association, are calling for Aston Villa to ban for life the supporter who struck referee’s assistant Phil Sharp with a coin here on Saturday.

Portsmouth are almost certain to be without midfielders Lassana Diarra and Richard Hughes for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League trip to Aston Villa.

HARRY REDKNAPP celebrated a dazzling hat-trick of wins after his £18.5 million strikers Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe saw off Stoke.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp is without the suspended Lassana Diarra for his side's Premier League clash with Stoke after the midfielder was sent off against Tottenham last weekend.

Key midfielder Lassana Diarra could return to the Portsmouth side at home to Tottenham on Sunday after discovering the knee injury sustained in last Sunday’s 6-0 humbling at Manchester City has not damaged ligaments.

Portsmouth have been hit by injuries on top of Sunday’s humiliating 6-0 defeat at Manchester City, with midfield trio Lassana Diarra, Sean Davis and Papa Bouba Diop all ruled out of tomorrow night’s Carling Cup third-round clash at home to Chelsea.

Wingers Armand Traore and John Utaka are leading candidates for a rest as Portsmouth prepare for their Barclays Premier League visit to fellow UEFA Cup contenders Manchester City on Sunday.

Portsmouth’s Nigeria winger John Utaka is a fitness doubt for tomorrow’s UEFA Cup first round first leg tie at home to Portugal’s Guimaraes.

Portsmouth are banking on forward Jermain Defoe recovering from a virus in time to start against Everton at Goodison Park tomorrow.

Niko Kranjcar is a major doubt for Portsmouth’s home clash with Manchester United on Monday after limping off with an ankle injury during Croatia’s 3-2 midweek win in Slovenia.