Pompey given Sol Cup scare
SOL CAMPBELL has given Pompey a Cup final injury scare ahead of the final Premier League game of the season.
And Harry Redknapp has revealed David James won't play against Fulham, despite declaring himself fit from a calf injury earlier this week.
Blues skipper Campbell has complained of a tight hamstring and may be pulled out of the Fulham clash as a precaution ahead of next weekend's FA Cup final.
With James also out, it is a real cause for concern with the FA Cup final against Cardiff now just seven days away.
Redknapp said: 'Sol has got a tight hamstring and we've got to be careful with him.
'If he's got any doubts at all, then I will not risk him against Fulham.
'I'm hoping Sol will be okay for Sunday, but he has got a tight hamstring and if he tears that, you can forget the FA Cup final.
'So we'll see how he is. If he feels it is okay to play then fine. But if he feels there might be a problem, I can't chance it.
'But I will pick what I consider is as good a team as I can pick.'
Fit-again Noe Pamarot is poised to replace Campbell in central defence.
But Jamie Ashdown will definitely continue in goal for the third match on the trot, with England keeper James still not back in full training.
Redknapp said: 'Jamo is definitely not fit. He had a scan and it's healing well but I still didn't want to chance him in training.
'When you get a calf strain, it can go at any time.
'If he jumps and it tears, he would be out of the FA Cup final, so he will definitely not play against Fulham – no chance.
'He's done a bit of handling work without being able to jump or take crosses. So we've got to make sure we get him right for next Saturday.
'Jamo wanted to train – that's how he is. But the physio told me that if he jumps for a ball, he could end up tearing his calf, so there's no way I could let him.'
Nigerian winger John Utaka is poised to return to action after recovering from an ankle problem, while Redknapp also admitted places are still be up for grabs ahead of the Wembley showdown with Cardiff next weekend.
Redknapp said: 'If everyone is fit, I know the team more or less, but there are still one or two decisions to be made.
'People are pushing for places. We've got Pedro Mendes back now, Sean
Davis, too, so I have not made my mind up 100 per cent.
'We'll see what happens.'
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Last Updated:
10 May 2008 12:53 PM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Portsmouth