Cup holders Pompey go with Mvuemba

Portsmouth manager Tony Adams is to give midfielder Arnold Mvuemba a rare start as the FA Cup holders look to avoid falling at the first hurdle in their defence, against Bristol City.

A goalless third round draw at Fratton Park has led to a replay at second-tier City’s Ashton Gate ground on Tuesday.

Pompey travel west facing a midfield injury crisis.

The experienced Sean Davis has been ruled out, along with long-term absentees Richard Hughes and Papa Bouba Diop, after he failed to report for training following a weekend stomach bug.

Now Adams wants Mvuemba to fill the gap left by his friend Lassana Diarra, who recently left Portsmouth for Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Mvuemba 23, played alongside Diarra for France’s Under-20 side but has not ‘kicked on’ as well as his more well-known compatriot.

“Technically Arnold is very good, he can pass the ball and keep it very well. He was excellent when we played AC Milan earlier in the season but did not do so well against Newcastle so needs to find that consistency.

“He is a young guy who has got to grab his chance now he has got it. I have told the players ‘go and fight and if you do not the manager perhaps looks elsewhere’.

“I remember watching him in the Toulon Tournament alongside his old mate Diarra and while Lassy put on a bit of strength, Arnold never did.

“In the Premier League I think you need that resilience and the kid needs to get in the gym, toughen up and hopefully he can take his chance.”

Portsmouth have won just once in their last eight games – and that was only in a ‘dead’ UEFA Cup tie against Heerenveen – and their run of poor results has edged the south coast side ever closer towards the Premier League drop zone.

Former Arsenal and England captain Adams insisted Tuesday’s result would have no bearing on Pompey’s push to stay in the top-flight.

“Hopefully we will not have to talk about a bad result but to be honest it is irrelevant in terms of the league – different day, different team, different competition.

“Wins can give you confidence but you can bounce back from a defeat and the boys are ready to get into the next round.

“People will think there may be a shock but I cannot do anything about that. As far as I am concerned I have prepared my team to win the game.”

Other third round replays on Tuesday feature matches between Burnley and QPR, Crewe and Millwall, Norwich and Charlton and Peterborough and West Brom.

Tuesday’s re-scheduled third round Cup ties see Midlands rivals Birmingham and Wolves go head-to-head, with Cheltenham up against Doncaster, Leyton Orient taking on Sheffield United while non-league Histon, who’ve already knocked out fallen giants Leeds out of the Cup this season, face Swansea.