Hreidarsson: Fitness won't be a problem

The Fratton hero will today begin training with Michael Appleton’s men.

The Blues boss has given the veteran defender an indefinite trial period to show he is capable of playing League One football.

Hreidarsson has been without a club since his contract with Coventry came to an end in the summer.

Since then, the 38-year-old has been maintaining his fitness back in Iceland.

His agent Olafur Gardarsson claims Hreidarsson has been training with top-flight side IR Reykjavik.

He insists the defender has also been topping up his fitness in the gym.

Hreidarsson has offered to play for Pompey for free if he can win a deal.

And Gardarsson believes his client has no concerns over impressing Appleton with his fitness.

He said: ‘Hermann is fit, in fact he is more than fit.

‘He is just not match fit as he has not played a lot of competitive games recently.

‘He wants to play 11 versus 11 and see where that takes him.

‘I do not think of it as a trial at Portsmouth.

‘He wants to come in and play football, there is no question about his fitness.

‘He has been training with IR in Iceland and also helped out coaching their kids.

‘Hermann has been training in the gym as well to keep himself fit.

‘He had a small operation on his shoulder in the summer but his legs are fine.

‘It is just that he has been away from football for a little while.

‘It will take him only two or three weeks to get match fit.

‘He is now 38 but can easily play on.

‘Hermann talks to people who are aged 35 and 36 who have quit after their body aches three or four days when a game is over.

‘He does not feel anything, though. He is like new.’

Hreidarsson made 123 appearances and scored eight goals during his previous Fratton Park spell.

It was a four-and-a-half season stay which saw the Icelandic international establish himself as a firm favourite.

But he left in January for Coventry having never made an appearance under Appleton.

Unfortunately, injury struck in only his second appearance for the Sky Blues as he damaged his shoulder.

He never played again for Coventry and his six-month deal was not extended.

Hreidarsson has now offered his services to Pompey free of charge.

With the club still in administration, it is gesture given consideration by Appleton.

Pompey’s manager will now run the rule over the ex-Charlton and Ipswich man in training.

And, according to Gardarsson, Hreidarsson’s motivation is purely playing football.

He added: ‘He is not in it for the money.

‘He sees it just for the football.

‘Hermann will play for nothing to begin with.

‘It is all about him wanting to help Portsmouth become a good football club again.

‘He is so affectionate for the club and wants what is best for it.’