Hughes hoping for FA Cup gig

Portsmouth midfielder Richard Hughes has admitted he is playing through the pain barrier in a bid to play in the FA Cup final. The 30-year-old has decided not to have a hernia operation that would leave him only an outside chance of making the final against Chelsea on May 15 at Wembley. Hughes told BBC Radio Solent: "We made the decision a couple of weeks back after the semi-final. "I either had to have the operation then and practically rule myself out for the season or grin and bear it." Hughes, who played all 90 minutes of Pompey's 2-2 draw with Bolton on Saturday, has 150 appearances for the south-coast club.