Wolfsburg Team News/Transfer Rumours

Wolfsburg Team News

First the bad news from the Pompey camp and that is that John Utaka is not fit enough yet and his hip injury will probably keep him out for another week. However Sol Campbell and Younes Kaboul are making progress and might feature in this vital UEFA Cup group tie.

Meanwhile boss Tony Adams has made it clear that he intends to make changes to his team following a spell of five games in sixteen days. Adams told the News 'I think one or two are a little bit tired, so that will present other people with an opportunity. We are running on empty at the moment. I'm taking the UEFA Cup very seriously, though. Just because I'm thinking of making a few changes doesn't mean I'm not taking the game seriously.

Pompey did looked tired on Sunday against Blackburn and we have a squad of players to cover these occasions but those travelling to Northern Germany will expect to see the strongest possible side on display.

In fact I gather quite a number of fans including our Rug have already arrived and I think they will be greeted by snow!! Hopefully tomorrow will be a day to remember for them.

Wolfsburg form

Pompey`s next opponents are in a rich vein of form at the Volkswagen Stadium and are undefeated at home in the Bundesliga this season.

Add to that the fact that they have also gone five home games in European competitions since they last tasted defeat. Like Pompey though they are novices in Europe having played only ten UEFA Cup games.

Nadir to the Nou Camp

Transfer rumours will the paper and Internet pages this morning with the story that Nadir Belhadj currently on loan from French side Lens is being chased by the mighty Barcelona.

It is reported that he was watched by Barca in the game with AC Milan last week and if so they would have been impressed. The Catalan side have injuries affecting that position and might try and usurp the deal between Pompey and Lens said to be worth £3.5 million.

The Daily Mirror also has an exclusive that David James will follow Harry Redknapp to Spurs in January when the transfer window opens. This is fired by the news that Shay Given the barcodes keeper has stated that he will not be moving to White Hart Lane. Read into that what you like.

Cup date

It has been confirmed that Pompey`s defence of the FA Cup against Bristol City will be played on Saturday 3rd January 2009 at 3pm. Perhaps surprisingly none of the television companies with rights to the competition have decided to feature the holders.

PUP

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