Mendes in race to be fit for Villa

Pedro Mendes is a doubt for Portsmouth’s home clash with Aston Villa tomorrow after joining his side’s injury list following the superb rearguard action at Liverpool.

But, while the Portuguese midfielder is struggling with a knee injury from the goalless Anfield clash, Pompey are boosted by the news on-loan defender Glen Johnson is ready to return to the club after treatment by Chelsea’s medical personnel.

The talented full-back – on temporary transfer from the Barclays Premiership champions this season – has been out for five games with a nasty thigh injury but fears surgery would be required have receded and he could be available for the following Saturday’s Fratton Park meeting with Everton.

Boss Harry Redknapp said: “It is great news about Glen. We are hopeful we will be able to play again soon, but Pedro got a bad kick behind the knee. He is very sore and we won’t know about him until later.”

Mendes was pinpointed by Redknapp for a “poor” display in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Newcastle.

One of the manager’s usual favourites was below par at St James’ Park but back on song against Liverpool.

Nevertheless, Portsmouth find themselves back in third place in the Premiership despite just two wins against Watford and Reading in the last seven games.

And Redknapp is delighted with how his side have survived their recent stern examinations.

He said: “For all Liverpool’s possession, our goalkeeper David James hardly had a save to make, nothing to do really. The people in front of him were excellent. They really worked hard.

“The defence, the midfield men, everyone did their jobs and David was very well protected. It was a big improvement on the performance at Newcastle.

“The midfielders worked hard and, at the back, Sol Campbell didn’t even have to break sweat. He headed everything away and, with Linvoy Primus, dealt with everything that came their way.”

Pompey, playing a lone striker, were content to soak up pressure all game, much to the frustration of Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez.

But Redknapp said: “It was difficult for us with so many players out injured. I had Aston Villa on Saturday at the back of my mind. It was a juggling act.

“We had no options but to play with just one up front. If I had used Kanu at Anfield and he had been unfit to face Villa, I would have been in big trouble for the home game, when I always want to play with two front men.

“Kanu cannot play three games in six days. He gets hamstring problems.”

Redknapp also took some criticism for leaving out top scorer Kanu and fielding a 4-5-1 formation in a 3-0 thumping at Manchester United a month ago.

But he said: “Liverpool do it in away matches sometimes. Bolton do it all the time and Fulham are also playing that way away. Lots of teams do. It is very rare that I do it, but it was needs must.”

Kanu looks certain to return as Pompey go back on the attack against Villa.

He will resume his partnership with Benjani Mwaruwari unless Lomana Lualua recovers sufficiently from an ankle problem to give a rest to the Zimbabwean who - in Redknapp’s words – “ran his socks off” at Anfield.

But midfielder Richard Hughes is likely to be back on the sidelines after an impressive first Premiership start of the season.

He replaced Sean Davis at Anfield but the former Fulham and Tottenham star looks set to be fit after a groin injury.