Udeze could be next Pompey target

Portsmouth could turn their attention to Nigerian left-back Ifeanyi Udeze after completing the signings of Laurent Robert and Andy O’Brien from Newcastle.

The 24-year-old defender recently agreed a new deal with Greek side PAOK Salonika but is keen for a return to the Barclays Premiership, following a six-month loan spell with West Brom during 2003.

Udeze has been keeping Celestine Babayaro out of the Nigerian national team, and Pompey boss Alain Perrin wants to have more cover and competition for Matt Taylor’s left-back berth.

Director of football Velimir Zajec is said to have already met the defender, who would be available for around £1m (€1.5m).

During one of his appearances for the Baggies, Udeze was substituted after just 25 minutes against Southampton, who had scored as the Nigerian argued over a throw-in and he subsequently fell out of favour with then West Brom manager Gary Megson.

However, the full-back insisted: “It is not true that I had a rough outing in England.”