James poised for Pompey return

Portsmouth goalkeeper David James looks set to return between the posts for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League trip to Sunderland.

Asmir Begovic is likely to make way for the England international, who has recovered from a calf injury.

Younes Kaboul is back after serving a one-match ban against Burnley last Saturday, while Papa Bouba Diop could make his first appearance since August as he steps up his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Provisional squad: James, Begovic, Mokoena, Mullins, Kanu, Belhadj, Vanden Borre, Piquionne, Ben-Haim, Yebda, Dindane, Brown, Wilson, Hreidarsson, O’Hara, Smith, Boateng, Kaboul, Diop, Finnan.