Injury problems mounting for Pompey

Portsmouth have been hit by injuries on top of Sunday’s humiliating 6-0 defeat at Manchester City, with midfield trio Lassana Diarra, Sean Davis and Papa Bouba Diop all ruled out of tomorrow night’s Carling Cup third-round clash at home to Chelsea.

Manager Harry Redknapp was planning to rest several first-teamers in any case after three games in nine days but former Chelsea and Arsenal star Diarra’s knee ligament injury looks a serious problem that could keep him out long term while Davis has a torn groin muscle and Diop a torn hamstring.