James in contention for Pompey

Portsmouth have not ruled goalkeeper David James out of their FA Cup fourth round clash with Sunderland tomorrow, despite the England international reportedly being on the brink of a move to Stoke.

The Potters are back in the hunt for the England goalkeeper but no deal was done before the deadline for this weekend and Portsmouth director of communications Gary Double confirmed the former Liverpool man was present at the club’s Eastleigh training ground today.

Steve Finnan (groin) and Younes Kaboul (infected toe) both return to the side at Fratton Park, but Tommy Smith (groin) and Richard Hughes are sidelined with injuries.

African Nations Cup quartet Kanu, Nadir Belhadj, Hassan Yebda and Aruna Dindane remain absent.

Provisional Squad: James, Begovic, Mokoena, Kaboul, Mullins, Vanden Borre, Piquionne, Ben-Haim, Brown, Wilson, Hreidarsson, Boateng, Diop, Finnan, Utaka, Webber.