Portsmouth FC

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James offers to alter contract

04 Feb 2010 - 15:33:46

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England goalkeeper David James has promised to change the terms of his contract in order to help Portsmouth's dire financial plight.

The 39-year-old, who was expected to leave Fratton Park during last month's transfer window, is entitled to an extension on his current deal if he plays 25 games this season.

That now seems extremely likely as Pompey opted to sell Asmir Begovic to Stoke City on transfer deadline day.

However, James said: "Hopefully my representative is about to have a chat with the club about contract issues because I don't want that to be a deciding factor, given how the club have been financially over the past few months.

"I've spoken to the manager and I told him that at no point did I want to go. My family is sorted out down here so I want to stay.

"I want to stay here until the end of the season, do well, stay up, go to the World Cup and worry about next season afterwards.

"It was definitely an issue and, given that we'd have been outside the transfer window, then sitting on the bench or not even sitting on the bench would not have done me any good in trying to help Portsmouth stay up or trying to get in the England squad for the World Cup.

"The Premier League rulings allow us to do contract renegotiations outside of the transfer window and we will get it sorted out because I don't want the club worrying about it and I don't want to be worrying about it myself.

"Without being funny, I'm not the richest man in the world but if there is a financial burden that the club can't suffer, then why should I be taking the mickey?"