Portsmouth Football Club News

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

• Ground:Fratton Park
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Harry upbeat on James injury

28 Apr 2008 - 08:15:54

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Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp is confident David James will have recovered from a calf injury in time to play in next month's FA Cup Final against Cardiff City.

The 37-year-old missed Sunday's 1-0 home defeat to Blackburn Rovers after tearing a calf muscle in the loss at Manchester City seven days earlier and faces a race against time to be fit for the Wembley showpiece.

Redknapp admitted: "You never know with calf injuries how long they will take.

"He did it at Manchester City and we finally got him to have a scan on Thursday which showed a grade-one tear.

"If he'd trained on Friday it could have turned into a grade four but, no, hopefully it shouldn't be a problem - if he takes his time and gets the right treatment."

Of his side's defeat to Rovers, the veteran boss added: "Blackburn came with a 4-5-1 set-up with Santa Cruz on the right of midfield and it was only in the second half when Mark (Hughes) pushed him up front with Jason Roberts that they looked a better team."