Sol Campbell has been backed by boss Harry Redknapp and his Portsmouth teammates to lead Portsmouth into the second round group stage of the UEFA Cup - and show his detractors that bad mouthing cannot damage his enduring ability.

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.

Zlatko Zahovic is one of those reckless sorts, prone to genius, never more than a wind-up away from a wild lunge, and the very definite key to Slovenia’s World Cup ambitions.