Adams fears Milan understudies

PORTSMOUTH boss Tony Adams fears the hungry understudies to the stars at mighty AC Milan might be the biggest threat to his team’s ambition of winning the “most prestigious game this club will ever play” tomorrow night.

Pompey take on the seven-times European champions in Group E of the UEFA Cup’s second round phase minus top striker Jermain Defoe and with major fitness doubts over skipper Sol Campbell and midfield aces Lassana Diarra and Niko Kranjcar.

A second defeat after last month’s 3-0 crash to Sporting Braga in Portugal would badly damage hopes of qualifying for the next knockout stage. But the illustrious visitors, having won their first two games in the competition are virtually guaranteed further progress already — and could rest some of their big names.