Portsmouth caretaker boss Joe Jordan has told his squad to forget about Alain Perrin’s sacking and instead concentrate on beating Chelsea.

PORTSMOUTH chairman Milan Mandaric’s chances of bringing in Neil Warnock as manager have been hit after Sheffield United signalled their intentions to keep him at Bramall Lane.

Director of football Velimir Zajec has resigned from Portsmouth for personal reasons.

Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie has admitted director of football Velimir Zajec is considering his position at the club.

Portsmouth could turn their attention to Nigerian left-back Ifeanyi Udeze after completing the signings of Laurent Robert and Andy O’Brien from Newcastle.

Portsmouth captain Arjan de Zeeuw faces a late test on a damaged shin before the vital game with Charlton at Fratton Park after sitting out training all week.

Portsmouth today confirmed the appointment of Frenchman Alain Perrin as their new manager.

FRENCH coach Alain Perrin has been called in to rescue Portsmouth from relegation after their alarming recent slump down the Barclays Premiership table.

Fulham 3 Portsmouth 1

Portsmouth boss Velimir Zajec looks set to stay in the job for the rest of the season.

Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric has stressed his desire to appoint a head coach with a proven track record by the end of next month to oversee team affairs.

Portsmouth have signed two Greek players and, subject to international clearance, both will be available for tomorrow’s FA Cup fourth-round tie at Southampton.

Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric has revealed his club are close to clinching three new signings before the transfer window closes.

Ian Parkes

Portsmouth finally came alive in the second half to confirm their Premiership status against Championship relegation strugglers Gillingham in the FA Cup.

Norwich had Mattias Jonson, Damien Francis and Simon Charlton all back from injuries to boost their Premiership survival fight at mid-table Portsmouth, Francis returning after six games out with a fractured cheekbone.

Fit-again defenders Dejan Stefanovic and David Unsworth are pressing for inclusion in the Portsmouth side to face Norwich City tomorrow.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will take a head count before selecting his side for the New Year’s Day trip to Charlton.

Portsmouth 0 Chelsea 2

Jose Mourinho admitted Chelsea were “a bit lucky” to grab all three points with two goals in the last 10 minutes at Portsmouth but praised his Premiership leaders for a magnificent attitude to two games in three days.

Chelsea extended their lead at the top of the Premiership to eight points with a 2-0 win at Portsmouth.

Jim Smith has linked up with Harry Redknapp again after the former Portsmouth assistant manager joined Southampton.

PORTSMOUTH’S new manager Velimir Zajec, the club’s first overseas boss, is already making plans to find his replacement.

Velimir Zajec was today appointed manager of Portsmouth on a permanent basis and made survival in the Barclays Premiership the priority at Fratton Park.

Velimir Zajec was today appointed manager of Portsmouth on a permanent basis.

Gordon Strachan turned down the chance to become Portsmouth manager so as not to sour memories of his time at local rivals Southampton.

Portsmouth 0 Arsenal 1

Sol Campbell’s first Barclays Premiership goal in 16 months stunned luckless Portsmouth and enabled champions Arsenal to move back into second place and within five points of leaders Chelsea.

Portsmouth must do without experienced defenders Dejan Stefanovic (thigh) and David Unsworth (hamstring) against champions Arsenal at Fratton Park on Sunday.

Portsmouth defender Dejan Stefanovic will miss out again on a controversial reunion with Robert Pires – after scans revealed he has torn a thigh muscle.

Rafael Benitez is becoming increasingly concerned by Liverpool’s inability to finish off their opponents.

Joe Jordan has reiterated that he is keen to remain Portsmouth coach when the new order is finally established.

Portsmouth’s goalscoring hero Lomana LuaLua claimed the post-Harry Redknapp era is well under way after his team snatched a 1-1 Barclays Premiership draw at Liverpool tonight.

Andy Griffin has warned Liverpool that Portsmouth will not roll over and provide them with an easy panacea for their Mersey derby blues tonight.

Nigel Quashie will again miss out with a groin injury when Portsmouth face Liverpool at Anfield tomorrow.

Arjan de Zeeuw admits he still "can’t believe" former Pompey manager Harry Redknapp has taken over the helm at local rivals Southampton.

HARRY REDKNAPP maintained his conscience was clear yesterday following his decision to join Southampton just two weeks after leaving south-coast rivals Portsmouth.

Southampton today appointed former Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp as their new manager.

Harry Redknapp looks set to be unveiled as Southampton manager this afternoon.

Tim Howard is set to revert to bench duty tomorrow despite keeping a clean sheet in Manchester United’s Carling Cup victory over Arsenal.

Portsmouth coach Kevin Bond has warned striker Lomana LuaLua that he must prove himself 100% fit to stand a chance of facing West Brom on Saturday.

Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric met former boss Harry Redknapp today to publicly clarify the transfer policy at Fratton Park.

FORMER Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp wants to put an end to speculation regarding his departure from the club in a very public clear-the-air meeting with owner Milan Mandaric.

HARRY REDKNAPP and Jim Smith quit Portsmouth because of the appointment of Velimir Zajec as executive director of the club, it was revealed yesterday.