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

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.

Algerian loan signing Nadir Belhadj and Nigerian striker Kanu are set to make their first appearances in the Portsmouth squad at home to Middlesbrough.

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.

Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe have sent a clear message to their Premier League rivals and England boss Fabio Capello after finally launching their little-and-large strikeforce for Portsmouth.

Portsmouth have signed Chelsea teenager Ben Sahar on a six-month loan.

EVER SINCE a flood engulfed Hillsborough in the summer, Sheffield Wednesday have suffered a torrent of troubles. It is a significant consolation, however, that the club’s heads are still above water as the season hurtles towards its finale.

Chelsea striker Ben Sahar has moved to Sheffield Wednesday on a one-month loan deal.

Chelsea’s new signing Nicolas Anelka is available for tomorrow’s clash with Tottenham after being registered with the Premier League following his £15m move from Bolton.

Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho returned from suspension for tonight’s Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Everton.

Defender Ricardo Carvalho is available again after suspension as Chelsea prepare for the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final against Everton.

Chelsea veteran Claude Makelele says he will review his future with the Barclays Premier League club at the end of the season.

QPR 2 Fulham 1

Coffee and deli bar operator Coffee Republic today reported wider losses, as it posted its first set of annual results since the chain’s founder was ousted in a boardroom coup.

QPR have signed young Chelsea striker Ben Sahar on loan for an initial three months.

All the starting teams for the final round of matches in the 2006/7 Barclays Premiership have been confirmed.

Chelsea will be without Andriy Shevchenko (hernia), Michael Ballack (ankle), Didier Drogba (ankle), Ricardo Carvalho (knee), Arjen Robben (knee) and Scott Sinclair (metatarsal) for Sunday’s visit of Everton.

Ashley Cole did not return to face his former club this afternoon as there was no place for the full-back in Chelsea’s side at Arsenal.

JERMAINE EASTER’S late strike embarrassed Chelsea and earned Wycombe a memorable draw in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final at Adams Park.

Jermaine Easter’s late strike embarrassed Chelsea and earned Wycombe a memorable draw in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final at Adams Park.

ONE of the 100 most influential women in Britain is to receive an honorary fellowship from Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) this week.