Three games out injured, three defeats.

It's all too convenient to blame Pompey's recent troubles on the loss of David James. After all, it's not just down to the goalkeeper.

Understudy Jamie Ashdown has performed well in the England keeper's absence and it would be wholly unfair to point the finger of blame in his direction. But since James went down clutching his calf in the loss at Manchester City, for whatever reason, Harry Redknapp's side have not been the same.

It's a mark of how highly James is revered at Fratton Park that he retained The News Player-of-the-Year award.

And it's reassuring to know the former Man City shot-stopper will be back between the sticks.

But without some tough love from the Pompey medical team and a brave man who stopped him training – James may have been reduced to a watching brief.

James said: 'I wanted to get out there training, but they told me I wasn't allowed. It's probably for the best as I probably would have been injured now.

'It's been a frustrating few weeks for me. I think I've been causing a few problems for people by suggesting I should be playing – in a nice way of course!

'I declared myself fit for the Blackburn game even when I wasn't fit.

'As a professional you, want to play every game – it's my job.

'With one eye on being fit for the FA Cup final, I suppose it was understandable I wasn't allowed to push it too far.

'It was annoying, but at the same time, I respect the advice I was given by the experts.

'The most important thing is for the team to win, but I am 100-per-cent fit and I'm ready to play.'

He won't admit it, but James still feels the hurt from his two previous FA Cup finals which both ended in defeat for Liverpool in 1996 and Aston Villa in 2000.

But he's determined to taste success this time.

He said: 'It's never a nice feeling when you lose the FA Cup final. You just had to get on with it when it happened.

'But let's have a conversation on Sunday and I'll tell you how I feel this time.'