Lualua set to go it alone

Manager Harry Redknapp may play Lomana LuaLua as a lone striker against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge if Portsmouth’s record signing Benjani Mwaruwari fails a late fitness test on a groin injury.

Svetoslav Todorov is in the Pompey squad but manager Redknapp may prefer to match-up Chelsea’s 4-4-3 system with two wide players Ognjen Koroman, a Serbian making his Premiership debut, and Wayne Routledge, on loan from Tottenham, with Andres D’Alessandro the midfield playmaker.

Pedro Mendes should pass a late check on a thigh strain but Salif Diao is out through another hamstring problem.

Team (from): Kiely, Pamarot, Primus, O’Brien, Taylor, O’Neil, Mendes, Davis, Griffin, D’Alessandro, Koroman, Hughes, LuaLua, Benjani, Routledge, Todorov, Karadas, Ashdown.