Campbell out for Portsmouth

Portsmouth’s Sol Campbell has been ruled out for the last two games of the season as manager Harry Redknapp faces an injury crisis which threatens to destroy hopes of a UEFA Cup place.

But despite the setback for Campbell, who faces the near-certainty of surgery on a torn Achilles tendon, and other fitness doubts for Saturday’s trip to Everton concerning Matt Taylor (ankle), Richard Hughes (knee) and Dejan Stefanovic (thigh), Redknapp is smiling over the news that Tony Adams looks set to stay at Fratton Park.

Assistant manager Adams is ready to shelve his managerial ambitions for at least another season. The former Arsenal and England star, 40, is close to an agreement with the Pompey board on a new, improved contract to replace the one-year deal that expires in June.

It means he must continue to put up with a gruelling round trip of nearly 200 miles every day from his home in the Cotswolds and despite telling Redknapp earlier this season he was keen to look for a new club to manage, he now says: “I would love to stay

“The fans here have been fantastic, I want to stay part of this. I think Harry wants me here and, even though the driving is getting me down, if we can come to some arrangement then why not?”

Adams, whose only previous experience in management was a tough experience ending in relegation for Wycombe, already has a good name as a coach.

He served two Dutch clubs in a coaching capacity after the Wycombe setback but was enticed back to England by Redknapp’s charm offensive. The manager has always said he wants Adams on board as long as possible.

Adams appears to have played a significant part in Campbell’s rehabilitation at Pompey after a traumatic ending to his Arsenal career.

But Campbell’s first real injury worry this season is a blow for Redknapp who said: “He’s been struggling with his Achilles for a little while and he has now had a scan which shows a little tear in there.

“It looks like he’s out for the season and it only remains to be seen whether he needs surgery. What we don’t want, though, is for him to rest the Achilles through the summer and then start the new season and find that he needs an operation then.”

Portsmouth, who face Arsenal at home in their final fixture on May 13, are in a six-team battle for the three available UEFA Cup places with Everton, Bolton, Tottenham, Reading and Blackburn and look like needing a maximum six more points to ensure their first European campaign.

Taylor, who was presented this week with Portsmouth’s young player of the year award and a trophy for goal of the season (his 40-yard effort against Everton in December) is a major doubt for the trip to Goodison Park this weekend after being substituted with an ankle injury after just 20 minutes in last week’s win over Liverpool.

Stefanovic is confident of being fit in time but, like Hughes and Taylor, has had a scan on his injury.

Meanwhile David James has been voted player of the year by team-mates and fans. The goalkeeper, 36, picked up the twin-award during a ceremony at the city’s Guild Hall.