Portsmouth Football Club News

• Nickname:Pompey
• Founded:1898
• Manager:Michael Appleton

• Ground:Fratton Park
• Capacity:19,179

Central role for Johnson

09 Feb 2007 - 12:43:30

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Loanee Glen Johnson will have to fill in at centre-back for Portsmouth this weekend against Manchester City, as Linvoy Primus is ruled out by injury.

Primus is sidelined by a thigh problem sustained during training earlier on in the week, and Pompey are also without Dejan Stefanovic and Djimi Traore, while Noe Pamarot is doubtful with an ankle injury.

That leaves boss Harry Redknapp with little option other than to push right-back Johnson into a more central role alongside Sol Campbell.

He told The News: "Glen is the only one I can play at centre-half. Lauren can't play centre-half, he never has done.

"He's a right-back really, his best position in all honesty is right-back, so Glen will have to do it.

"When I signed him as a schoolboy he was a centre-half and played there for England schoolboys.

"He's got a bit of experience and he's the only one who can do it. That's all I can do."

Johnson is on a season-long loan from Chelsea and has made 21 appearances for Pompey to date.