Harry sends foreigners to English lessons

Harry Redknapp is planning to send his non-English players from his 28-man squad to English speaking lessons to learn 'football talk'.

The course being run by Polyglot Solutions, a language school based in Southsea, will be using props including a Subbuteo table to educate Pompey's foreign players so that they are fully equipped on the pitch.

It is understood that it takes 11 hours to teach players to learn from knowing little to no English, to being able to operate and function properly on the pitch.

Some of the phrases being drilled into the players include,'pick your man up!' 'don't let him turn you!' and 'take him on, beat your man!'

With Pompey already having eight 'first-team' British players in the squad, it shouldn't be too hard for the players to pick it up, and in a week that has revealed Sol Campbell to take occasional days off training to eat eggs and have a massage, the Pompey fans will be hoping Harry's weird and wonderful tactics will pay off in Thursday's game against Braga.

Diarra - a big doubt for Braga

Lassana Diarra is a worrying doubt ahead of Thursday's opening group E Uefa cup match against Braga, after picking up a knee injury three weeks ago.

Diarra, was due to return to training today, the last training session before the team fly out to Portugal tomorrow.

The French international has been a big part of Pompey's midfield this season, and Redknapp isn't willing to risk him ahead of sunday's clash against Fulham at home, a game in which Sean Davis will sit out due to last weekend's sending off.

Diarra has'nt lost in 29 cup games since coming to England, and those fans travelling to Braga on Thursday are hoping that it wouldn't have ended there.

Redknapp told the News, 'Lassana has an inflammation of the knee and has been told to rest, which he has done. Hopefully he will have trained today.

'The worry is, though, he has lost 10 days of fitness, so you've got to ask yourself whether he's ready to be thrown back in there against Braga.

'I wouldn't take that chance if there was any doubt. We've got a busy time coming up and I can't afford him breaking down.

'I definitely want him for Sunday. We've got Fulham at home and the league is important to us still, without doubt.

'We've got games Thursday, Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday. You've got to be careful – you don't want injuries during that time. I've got to look at it game by game.

'I've got to decide whether I risk Lassana or not. I'm not going to gamble on him, though. I just can't do that.'

Villa v Pompey Highlights

Here are the highlights from the weekend's encounter with Aston Villa, courtesy of Portsmouthfc.co.uk

Pompey Rumours 20/10/08

Tribal Football ----
Lens midfielder Razak Boukari is interesting Portsmouth.

The News of the World says Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp will be able to get the France Under-21 star for £2million in January.

The Togo-born player is also a target for Strasbourg and Nice but would prefer to play in England.

Boukari, 21, has helped Lens to the top of Ligue 2.

SkySports.com ----
Serbian ace Milos Krasic has confirmed he wants to quit CSKA Moscow for the Premier League and that he knows a number of English clubs are interested in him.

Manchester United emerged as suitors over the weekend after watching him in action last week, whilst Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth are also keeping tabs on the situation.

Tribal Football ----
Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp is confident of the signing of Lester Peltier in January.

Pompey are set to offer the Trinidad & Tobago midfielder a four-year deal.

Tribal Football ----

Arsenal fullback Armand Traore has again declared he could sign permanently with Portsmouth.

"I really like it here," he said. "Everyone has been very kind and it is a good club. I have come to a stage when I need to play regularly. Arsene Wenger agreed and he said he would let me go if I play every week.

"The future is something I need to discuss with the two clubs. I will need to speak with Arsene Wenger about it. I want to play every week. If I go back to Arsenal I will need to talk to Arsene Wenger.

"The manager here told me if all goes well I can play every week here. That is exactly what I needed to hear. I came to Portsmouth to play and that has helped me to relax and be myself.

"At Arsenal there are a lot of international players – in every position. Gael Clichy is the left-back and he is doing really well for them at the moment."

Is Sol too old for England?

Sol Campbell hasn't featured in the England squad since the poor performance during England's Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia.

Sol is yet to feature under England boss Fabio Capello, but the gaffer reckons the Pompey centre-back has what it takes to get back in the England squad.

"Sol is in fantastic form and did the business again against a good front two in Carew and Agbonlahor," said Redknapp.

"It is only last year that Sol played for England and now has certainly come back into great form again. Hopefully he will continue playing like that.

"Sol could do a job still for England. I'd love to see him back in the England squad. I think he is still good enough. He is fit and has got terrific pace."

With jokes being made by everyone that Capello should get a season ticket at Fratton Park, with other England stars in the squad, in the form of David James, Glen Johnson, Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch, maybe Capello will keep an eye on big Sol on his next visit.

Post-match interviews (v Villa)

Here are two videos of Noe Pamarot and Slyvain Distin following the Villa game