Pompey seek more Cup respite against Spurs

Cash-strapped Portsmouth will look to salvage something from a wretched season when they face former manager Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham Hotspur side in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

It was under Redknapp that Portsmouth enjoyed one of the greatest days in their history when they won the FA Cup in 2008.

But now the Premier League’s basement club are 70 million pounds (108 million dollars) in debt and, having been deducted nine points for entering administration, they could be relegated before kick-off at Wembley if results go against them on Saturday.

Many, including Portsmouth goalkeeper David James – one of the few survivors from the Cup-winning side still left at Fratton Park – trace the start of the club’s financial freefall back to that fateful day at Wembley two years ago.

Victory over second-tier Cardiff City, sealed by a goal from Nigeria striker Nwankwo Kanu, sparked bonus payments and European football, neither of which Portsmouth, who’ve been through several ownership changes since before the start of the season, could afford.

“Had we not won the FA Cup, bizarrely it would probably have done us a lot better, because we would not have qualified for Europe and would have been able to build on two decent years of progression,” said England keeper James.

Some have also questioned the role of Redknapp in signing several high-profile and expensive players.

But Redknapp said: “All I did was bring players in, do well in the Premier League, win the FA Cup, and then they sold them at a massive profit.

“Without them the club would have been skint years ago, years ago,” added Redknapp, who joined Tottenham late in 2008.

Portsmouth are now managed by former Chelsea boss Avram Grant, who is proud of the way his side have kept their Cup-run going.

“If it (relegation) happens this Saturday, or next Saturday, it does not matter – it happened a long time ago in the offices of the Premier League, not on the pitch,” said the Israeli.

“Sometimes things have been impossible, even a nightmare, but I have seen so many positive things, how we have played with a fighting spirit,” Grant added.

James is set to be fit following a calf problem while Hassan Yebda, Kevin Prince Boateng, Nadir Belhadj, Papa Bouba Diop and Tommy Smith are all now pushing for a place in the side after injuries.

Aruna Dindane will also be available before the Ivory Coast striker triggers an appearance clause in his loan agreement from Lens which would mean Pompey had to buy him.

But midfielder Jamie O’Hara, arguably Pompey’s best player this season, is ineligible as he is on-loan from Tottenham.

Last month Spurs beat Portsmouth 2-0 in the league thanks to goals from former Portsmouth players Niko Kranjcar and Peter Crouch.

That match saw Pompey suffer another blow when defender Hermann Hreidarsson was ruled out for six months after rupturing an Achilles tendon.

Tottenham, pushing for a place in next season’s Champions League, also have injury problems with Vedran Corluka and Tom Huddlestone (both ankle) and Michael Dawson (Achilles) all doubtful.

England’s Aaron Lennon is still sidelined by a groin problem but central defender Ledley King is approaching full fitness following a thigh injury.

Spurs will be firm favourites but Redknapp said: “Portsmouth will be a hard game, they’ll have four or five who will come back and they’ll make a difference.

“We were lucky to beat them down there and I saw them beat Liverpool at home. They are very dangerous.”