Big guns for Blackburn
HARRY REDKNAPP has pledged to sacrifice squad rotation to bolster Pompey's dream of cup silverware.
And he will field a full-strength side in tomorrow night's Carling Cup clash with Blackburn Rovers.
The Blues boss has favoured selecting teams largely consisting of squad players, coupled with Sylvain Distin and Benjani Mwaruwari, in the competition so far.
But with a spot in the quarter-finals at stake, Pompey instead intend on fielding the stars who have taken them to seventh place in the Premier League.
It could mean heartbreak for Jamie Ashdown, who has kept clean sheets so far, while Djimi Traore, Lauren, Noe Pamarot and Kanu may also miss out.
But Redknapp wants to give his side every chance of progression.
He said: 'The Blackburn game is a big game for us.
'We have got this far in the competition and have got to go for it so I will be picking the strongest team I can.
'I cannot make 11 changes at home and expect to beat Blackburn. They are a good side.
'It's harsh on some of the lads, I know, but we can't mess around, I want us to be at full strength for this one.
'We have got to the stage now where we are not a million miles away from a cup final and we have to look at that now.
'I want us to be as strong as we possibly can for this one and that's the best way to approach it.'
Redknapp will be boosted by the return of Sean Davis from suspension.
However, Richard Hughes, who previously featured against Leeds and Burnley, once again sits out through his three-match ban.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 15 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
