Diarra gives Portsmouth an injury boost

Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra has given the Premier League club a boost after his ankle injury proved to be less serious than first feared.

Diarra had been expected to be sidelined for three weeks after limping off during his team's goalless draw at West Ham on Saturday.

But Diarra joined up with the France squad this week to have the injury assessed and the former Chelsea and Arsenal star has been told he could now be fit in time for this weekend's clash against Hull.

“When Lassana left Upton Park on crutches we thought he had a very bad ankle injury. But the injury isn't as bad as we originally thought,” Portsmouth physio Gary Sadler said.

“We've had a call from him from France. He's had a scan after reporting to the French medical team.

“The good news is that he could be available for AC Milan. Even better news is that he might even be available for this weekend.”

Meanwhile, Pompey's executive chairman Peter Storrie has pleaded with the city's council to support their redesigned plans for a new waterfront stadium.

Bankers who have been approached to finance the 100 million pounds scheme have told the club there must be a significant retail element alongside the 36,000-seater ground and housing in order to attract the necessary cash.

Pompey's executive chairman Peter Storrie told the Portsmouth News: “We have obviously changed plans. The credit crunch has created that.

“At the moment we are in discussions with the city council about the fact that we have to have retail on the site.

“Without that it's just simply not going to happen. We need the council to get behind us and support us on this.

“The council are not being unhelpful, but it's a change in policy for them and they need to understand fully the economic reasons why we have to have retail.”