Preview: Portsmouth v Aston Villa March 14 2008
Portsmouth captain Sol Campbell faces a late fitness test on a knee problem ahead of the home Premier League clash with Aston Villa.
Manager Harry Redknapp will not risk the England defender unless fully fit but faces the dilemma of having no real cover in central defence. With Noe Pamarot still out injured, Hermann Hreidarsson may have to switch from left back. On-loan defender Lucien Aubey is in the squad.
Lassana Diarra is set to return to the starting line-up and replace Pedro Mendes, while Kanu is expected to continue his role as substitute.
Aston Villa have doubts over striker Gabriel Agbonlahor and right-back Craig Gardner.
England Under-21 international Agbonlahor has a foot injury that forced him to sit out training on Friday but Villa are optimistic he will be fit.
Gardner has a back problem and Olof Mellberg has been put on alert to replace him.
Mellberg, who is fully fit after an ankle injury, started Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough on the bench before replacing Gardner at half-time.
Squads
Portsmouth: James; Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Diop, Muntari, Diarra, Kranjcar, Baros, Defoe, Pedro Mendes, Davis, Kanu, Utaka, Lauren, Mvuemba, Aubey, Ashdown.
Aston Villa: Carson, Mellberg, Laursen, Knight, Bouma, Young, Reo-Coker, Barry, Maloney, Agbonlahor, Carew, Petrov, Gardner, Harewood, Salifou, Osbourne, Taylor.