Redknapp takes a gamble

Harry Redknapp gambled on the creative brilliance of Frenchman Laurent Robert to give him a happy homecoming in Portsmouth’s vital Barclays Premiership clash with fellow strugglers West Brom.

He left out Colombian John Viafara in the only change from Monday’s 3-1 defeat at Tottenham to face a Baggies team who pulled six points clear of the relegation zone with last week’s 2-0 win over Manchester City.

The visitors, who called in Martin Albrechtsen to replace the injured Steve Watson, had striker Diomansy Kamara taking on his old club.

Redknapp told his team they had to register their first home win since April - when they beat his Southampton side – and was hoping to cash in against an Albion side who have picked up a solitary point away all season.

Portsmouth: Ashdown, Primus, O’Brien, Stefanovic, Griffin, O’Neil, Hughes, Taylor, LuaLua, Pericard, Robert. Subs: Westerveld, Todorov, Cisse, Priske, Viafara.

West Brom: Kuszczak, Albrechtsen, Curtis Davies, Clement, Robinson, Kamara, Wallwork, Inamoto, Greening, Ellington, Kanu. Subs: Moore, Carter, Kirkland, Campbell, Earnshaw.

Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire)