Utaka available for Pompey

John Utaka has boosted Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp’s options by recovering from the hamstring injury which forced him off at half-time in their goalless draw with Manchester City.

Utaka’s Nigeria team-mate Kanu is a major doubt for tomorrow’s trip to Birmingham after suffering a hamstring strain in the same match.

Senegalese midfielder Papa Bouba Diop returns after a one-match ban so Redknapp will revert to his preferred 4-5-1 formation.

Noe Pamarot is likely to keep his place at left-back at the expense of fit-again Hermann Hreidarsson. Long-term absentee Linvoy Primus remains sidelined after undergoing knee surgery in America.

Team (from): James, Ashdown, Johnson, Lauren, Campbell, Distin, Pamarot, Hreidarsson, Utaka, Davis, Mendes, Diop, Muntari, Kranjcar, Benjani, Nugent, Kanu.