Redknapp likely to choose Hughes

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp is ready to hand Richard Hughes only his third Premiership start of the season for tomorrow’s visit of Chelsea after Pedro Mendes and Lauren were both ruled out.

Scotland international Hughes is likely to line up in central midfield after Mendes failed to recover from the ankle injury sustained during the 3-0 defeat at Blackburn.

Lauren continues to struggle with a muscle tear and Gary O’Neil and Sean Davis are also struggling with knocks.

Glen Johnson is unavailable due to Portsmouth’s loan arrangement with Chelsea so Noe Pamarot should switch to right-back.

Provisional squad: James, Primus, Campbell, Traore, Pamarot, Hughes, O’Neil, Krancjar, Taylor, LuaLua, Kanu, Ashdown, Stefanovic, O’Brien, Davis, Mvuemba, Benjani, Douala, Cole, Todorov.