Adams still hopeful in-demand Defoe will stay at Pompey

PORTSMOUTH manager Tony Adams insists he has not given up on keeping striker Jermain Defoe at Fratton Park despite all signs pointing to the former Tottenham striker returning to his old club after missing Saturday’s grim goalless draw with Bristol City in the FA Cup.

Defoe, who is understood to want to rejoin ex-Pompey boss Harry Redknapp at Spurs despite a reported £20million rival bid from Juventus, was left on the substitutes’ bench last Sunday against Arsenal as Adams opted for a defensive formation in a creditable 1-0 defeat and missed the cup tie altogether with a bout of flu.

The illness conveniently prevented him becoming cup-tied should he move back to White Hart Lane where Tottenham are already through to the fourth round.