Zajec may stay to end of season

VELIMIR ZAJEC, whose controversial arrival at Fratton Park convinced Harry Redknapp to quit as manager, could stay in charge of Portsmouth for the rest of the season.

The south coast club’s new Croatian executive director, who arrived from Panathinaikos in Greece, is currently picking the team and tactics with the advice of coaches Joe Jordan and Kevin Bond.

Pompey had originally aimed to bring Redknapp’s replacement in by January but although chairman Milan Mandaric claims to have compiled a shortlist of four from about 30 applicants, he may be willing to wait much longer.