Defoe to return

Portsmouth welcome back Jermain Defoe for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with Birmingham after the ex-Tottenham striker was cup-tied for the FA Cup quarter-final win at Manchester United.

Midfielder Richard Hughes looks set to miss out after suffering a leg injury in Saturday’s Old Trafford victory but forward Milan Baros and midfielder Pedro Mendes are both set to start.

Pompey will be without long-term absentee Linvoy Primus (knee), fellow defender Noe Pamarot (knee) and striker David Nugent (hernia).

Provisional squad: James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Diop, Diarra, Mendes, Davis, Muntari, Utaka, Kranjcar, Kanu, Defoe, Baros, Ashdown, Lauren, Mvuemba, Hughes.