Portsmouth’s FA Cup semi-final hero Kanu will find himself back on the bench when Harry Redknapp’s side travel to West Ham tomorrow.

Portsmouth will make late decisions on the fitness of defender Hermann Hreidarsson (achilles) and winger John Utaka (hamstring) for the FA Cup semi final against West Bromwich Albion but neither had trained up to Thursday.

Sol Campbell and Jermain Defoe will return as Portsmouth host Wigan but Lassana Diarra misses out.

MANAGERS, or the best ones at any rate, are alchemists. Their ability to transform base matches into precious points is what makes them so highly coveted and Juande Ramos, whose €7.8million-a-year salary reputedly makes him the best paid coach in world club football, is proving something of a bargain for Tottenham Hotspur.

Jermain Defoe’s enforced absence could mean a surprise start for John Utaka in Portsmouth’s Barclays Premier League clash with Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

SPARE a thought for poor Scott Carson, who once again has much to think about and much he would like to forget. Not only was England manager Fabio Capello present to witness yet more shortcomings on Saturday, he also had to watch David James, his biggest rival for an England shirt, excel at the other end.

Portsmouth captain Sol Campbell faces a late fitness test on a knee problem ahead of tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League home clash with Aston Villa.

Pedro Mendes returns to the Portsmouth squad after five weeks out following a minor ankle operation for tomorrow’s FA Cup quarter final clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Jermain Defoe, Portsmouth’s new but cup-tied striker, will return to league action against Sunderland at Fratton Park tomorrow.

EVEN at the age of 37 some believe David James still has plenty to learn, but he produced an outstanding performance, including a penalty save, to propel Portsmouth into the quarter-finals yesterday.

Portsmouth have Papa Bouba Diop, Kanu and John Utaka all back from the African Nations Cup for the Barclays Premier League trip to Bolton but centre-back Sylvain Distin again looks set to miss out with a hamstring injury.

Czech Republic striker Milan Baros is set for his Portsmouth debut at Manchester United after signing on loan from Lyon.

HARRY REDKNAPP celebrated the luck all teams need to win the FA Cup by signing Czech Republic striker Milan Baros on loan from Lyon last night to bolster his crumbling Premier League strike-force.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp welcomes back skipper Sol Campbell (back) and midfielder Sean Davis (foot) from injury for the FA Cup fourth-round tie against Plymouth at Fratton Park.

BEJANI vindicated Harry Redknapp’s decision to reject the overtures of Newcastle as his hat-trick emphatically ended Portsmouth’s six-match goal drought at Fratton Park.

Portsmouth are set to give new signing Lassana Diarra his debut in midfield at home to Barclays Premier League bottom team Derby at Fratton Park and right-back Glen Johnson is expected to return after a hamstring strain.

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