Portsmouth targetting Abel-bodied recruits

Former Liverpool and Everton defender Abel Xavier has been added to the list of candidates which Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp is considering to solve his defensive crisis.

Stalwart centre-backs Dejan Stefanovic and Arjan de Zeeuw are both out injured for at least three weeks and Redknapp is desperate to bring in replacements - preferably experienced out-of-contract players who can sign immediately.