Duo missing for Pompey

Posted Saturday, May 01, 2010 by PA

Portsmouth manager Avram Grant remains without Nadir Belhadj and Jamie O'Hara for his side's final Barclays Premier League home fixture against Wolves.

Belhadj may be sidelined for the rest of the campaign with an ankle injury, while O'Hara is fighting to recover from a back problem in time for Pompey's FA Cup Final date with Chelsea on May 15.

Hassan Yebda and Papa Bouba Diop (both knee) continue to be used sparingly by Grant as he nurses his injury-hit squad through to their Wembley showpiece.

Academy starlets Lenny Sowah, Joel Ward and Matt Ritchie could be involved against the Black Country outfit.

With Pompey docked nine points for going into administration and players sold without his say so, Grant has been running the team with one arm tied behind his back.

And the former Israel boss has no intention of going through another turbulent season at Fratton Park.

He said: "I stayed here because my heart told me to stay, but I don't want to have another season like this.

"It was very tough and I like to work in football and deal with football problems.

"Sometimes financial problems are part of the game. But when it's like this, it's not good for me and it's not good for the club.

"I'm waiting to see what will happen, but at the moment, it looks like it is going the right way. Let's wait and see."

On-loan RSC Charleroi midfielder Geoffrey Mujangi Bia will start his first Premier League game of the season.

Mujangi replaces Stephen Ward, who has undergone knee surgery, while Matt Jarvis is still side-lined with a thigh problem.

Wolves skipper Karl Henry will also be available after completing a three-game ban.

Henry missed the games against Stoke, Blackburn and Portsmouth for his sending-off against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Mick McCarthy wants Wolves to follow the example of Europa League finalists Fulham and Wigan in becoming an established Premier League force during the next few seasons.

But the Wolves boss is under no illusions about the task that will face his side next season after ensuring survival and warned: "No matter who we sign, it will be just as tough."

McCarthy has massive respect for the achievements of Roy Hodgson at Craven Cottage during the past two-and-a-half seasons.

But he has noted that Fulham have been established in the top flight for a decade and Wigan for six years and that is the aim at Molineux.

He said: "I get asked about the ambitions for next season and the answer is 'we won't be in the top eight and I don't want to be in the bottom three.'

"We just want to stay in the league and end up being a solid Premier League side.

"Fulham have become that in the past decade. Wigan have been in there for six seasons now. They have become a solid team you'd expect to stay in the league.

"Yes, they have flirted with relegation this year, but they've become a team you expect to remain in the Premier League.

"Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have the lofty ambitions to streak into the top six.

"But wouldn't it be lovely for us to get into a position in six years time where we are saying 'one year we had a flirt with relegation and just escaped and the other years we finished 14th, 10th, 12th, whatever it might be.'

"Let's try and make sure we stay in the league. That is what we have to try and achieve."