MILAN MANDARIC, the Portsmouth chairman, claims that the club are still working “tirelessly” to sign two or three more players during the January transfer window. “We’re looking for experienced players from this country because there is no time to go searching abroad,” Mandaric said.
However, that was at odds with a claim by Harry Redknapp, the manager, that “there is a player abroad I like who plays wide on the left side of midfield, with a good left foot. There’s a possibility of getting him on loan.” The player is thought to be Ian Harte, formerly of Leeds United but at present with Levante in Spain, who has appeared at left back and on the left of midfield, in addition to being a dead-ball specialist.
Harte would appear to be a ready-made replacement for Matthew Taylor, if Fulham improve their offer to sign the defender, although Redknapp would like both. “If Matty Taylor plays at left back, we need a wide left player,” he said. “If Matty plays wide on the left, we need a left back.”
Jerzy Dudek, of Liverpool, and Dean Kiely, of Charlton Athletic, continue to be mentioned, but with Jamie Ashdown no longer injured, the urgency to sign a goalkeeper has diminished.
However, the club have chartered a jet to ensure Benjani Mwaruwari’s availability for Saturday’s match away to Birmingham City. The Zimbabwe forward will fly to Egypt to join the rest of his country’s African Cup of Nations squad immediately after the match at St Andrew’s.
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Lomana LuaLua, who is with the Democratic Republic of Congo squad, will miss the match, but Benjani will partner Emmanuel Olisadebe up front.