Pompey hope to have James back - 7M sport

Pompey hope to have James back

Posted Saturday, September 12, 2009 by PA

Portsmouth goalkeeper David James may make his return from a knee injury in Saturday's Barclays Premier League match against fellow strugglers Bolton.

Pompey are still missing Papa Bouba Diop and Steve Finnan, who both have hamstring problems, while Herman Hreidarsson has a foot injury.

Striker Danny Webber has completed his move to Portsmouth - and Tal Ben-Haim, Kevin Prince-Boateng, Jamie O'Hara, Mike Williamson, Aruna Dindane and Hassan Yebda could also push for their club debuts.

Midfielder O'Hara admits he would consider making his loan move from Tottenham permanent if he is unlikely to start regularly at White Hart Lane.

The 22-year-old moved to the South Coast in search of matches after being restricted to substitute appearances for Spurs in the opening games of the season.

Despite signing a four-year deal shortly before his departure, O'Hara had no intention of spending the campaign warming the bench in North London.

And the midfielder is not ruling out making his move to Fratton Park permanent, should his chances of regular starts at Spurs diminish.

He said: "I wanted to sign a new deal at Tottenham, but I also want to play football.

"Being at Portsmouth is a learning curve and it's a chance for me to show everyone what I can do.

"If I enjoy it down here and Tottenham bring in a few players during the January transfer window, maybe there will be an option to stay here.

"I'm looking forward to giving my best for the club and the manager, and you never know what will happen. If I do well, something might happen.

"I've come here to play and if I play and I'm enjoying my football, then why wouldn't I want to stay?"

On-loan striker Ivan Klasnic is set to be named in Bolton's squad.

The Croatia international, who joined on transfer deadline day, trained with his new team-mates for the first time on Thursday as he was immediately called away on international duty after signing.

However, with Wanderers having scored just two goals in their three league defeats so far the 29-year-old could provide much-needed firepower.

Fellow striker Johan Elmander picked up a slight strain playing for Sweden but is expected to be fit, midfielder Mark Davies has recovered from a knock sustained in the Carling Cup victory over Tranmere on August 25 but Gavin McCann is a doubt.

Midfielder Sean Davis serves a one-match suspension for his sending-off against Liverpool last time out.

Bolton defender Zat Knight believes the side have to secure their first win of the season at Portsmouth.

Manager Gary Megson has admitted it is a huge game between the Premier League's only two pointless clubs and Knight thinks, after three successive defeats, now is the time to get their season up and running.

"I don't think it's a belief around the changing room but personally, having played in the Premier League for the last few years, I believe it is a must win," said the centre-back, a summer arrival from Aston Villa.

"We have to go to Fratton Park and I don't think we can even think about a draw, we have to go and get three points.

"Results wise it has been very frustrating because I felt we have put in good shifts and maybe we deserved something out of them.

"However, that is part and parcel of the Premier League and football in general."

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