Source: Eurosport
Ashdown ready for survival battle
Goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown is ready to join Portsmouth's battle for survival after two months on the sidelines with an ankle problem.Fit-again Ashdown damaged his ankle in training but returned to action in the reserves earlier this week.When the former Reading man started his recovery from injury, Pompey dismissed manager Tony Adams and moved on to their third manager of the campaign in Paul Hart.But Ashdown, who joined the club in 2004, has seen it all before at Pompey."I'm pretty much used to this," said Ashdown. "The first year I came here, Harry left within about five months and Alain Perrin took over."It was pretty similar to then so I'm accustomed to that, really. But it's starting to get back to the norm again now."It's taken a few weeks but the boys seem to be gelling together again under the new management."The manager is not worried about past performances - it's just a matter of staying up now and we are taking steps towards it.'Ashdown has proved to be a reliable understudy to David James and the 28-year-old was relieved to be back on the pitch again for Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Fulham reserves."It was fantastic," added Ashdown. "It's been nearly three months since I last played so it was good to get back to try to put myself back in the fold. It's always a frustrating time when you're injured."You just have to try to be professional and get fit again. I think we know who is number one here, but I'm just trying to get fit and up to speed again."[LNB]
