Source: Daily_Mail
Stoke City throw Portsmouth keeper David James World Cup lifeline
David James is trying to secure a loan move to Stoke City in a bid to escape a ludicrous situation at Portsmouth that could cost him his World Cup place.[LNB]The England goalkeeper has been fit to play Pompey's last two games after recovering from a calf injury but the crisis-hit club are now in a position where they cannot afford to let manager Avram Grant select him.[LNB]According to sources at Fratton Park, a clause in the 39-year-old's contract means he is just nine or 10 games away from an automatic one-year extension.[LNB] Pointing the way: Portsmouth stopper David James wants to go on loan to Stoke[LNB] [LNB]That would mean a commitment in the region of another £2million for a football club that seems to be heading for administration after failing to pay its players on time for the last three months.[LNB]Fearful that the situation could leave him struggling to secure a place even in Fabio Capello's 23-man squad for South Africa never mind the No 1 jersey James is desperate to complete a loan move to Stoke. Such a move would also suit the money men at Portsmouth, even if it amounts to another major setback for Grant and his team.[LNB]Discussions between the parties concerned are now understood to be at an advanced stage.[LNB]James's agent was last night optimistic of being able to secure a loan until the end of the season.[LNB]It is a bold statement of intent by Stoke boss Tony Pulis who earlier this week tried to entice Ruud van Nistelrooy from Real Madrid on a similar temporary basis.[LNB]For James it is essential. The emergence of Joe Hart, on loan at Birmingham City, and the continued threat to his England hopes posed by West Ham's Robert Green make it crucial for him to secure regular first-team football.[LNB]Hart has drawn attention to himself with a number of match-turning displays during the record-breaking, 14-match unbeaten run by Alex McLeish's side.[LNB] Worry: James fears he could be struggling to make the England World Cup squad[LNB]Pulis is keen to bring in James at a time when his relationship with his current No 1, Thomas Sorensen, is strained.[LNB]The Dane was criticised by Stoke's boss over his contribution during the draw with Wigan.[LNB]Speculation that Bayern Munich are interested in the 33-year-old has not helped matters and an injury to Sorensen's finger has seen him lose his place to Steve Simonsen.[LNB]Talks with James have progressed quite quickly but the main stumbling block appears to be the length of any prospective deal. Stoke are keen to secure a 12-month extension for James.[LNB]But the keeper is aware that a successful World Cup could ensure a bumper pay-day in the summer as a free agent who could secure a deal well into his 40s.[LNB]Meanwhile, Portsmouth failed to have their transfer embargo lifted yesterday and have until the weekend to show they can pay their creditors, or the Premier League will do so on their behalf from the club's £7m slice of television money.[LNB]Despite Portsmouth supplying additional documentation, the Premier League are yet to be satisfied that the various clubs who are owed in the region of £10m are happy with attempts to renegotiate repayment terms. Until they are, the embargo will remain.[LNB] Kenwyne Jones could still be on Stoke radar as chairman refuses to rule out move for Sunderland strikerAndy Griffin joins Reading on loan as Stoke's forgotten man seeks first-team footballAndy Griffin joins Reading on loan as Stoke's forgotten man seeks first-team footballSTOKE CITY FC
