Pompey fight early release of Nigerians

Pompey's current African Cup contingent [Nigeria's Kanu and John Utaka, Ghana's Sulley Muntari and Senegal's Papa Bouba Diop] are so far pencilled in to miss the Fratton Park clashes with Derby on January 19 and Chelsea on February 2.

They could also miss trips to Manchester United (January 30) and Bolton (February 9), as well as a potential FA Cup fourth-round tie on January 26.

But Benjani will be available after Zimbabwe failed to qualify for the finals.

Pompey finally get Nugent

Portsmouth have completed the signing of David Nugent from Preston North End for a fee of around £6 million.

The England striker has signed a four-year contract and will be officially presented at a Fratton Park press conference at 5pm.

At the same time, Pompey will announce the signing of a second, as yet unknown, player.

Leave it to 'arry to bring the drama. But the player we know, Nugent, is a good signing for them. Young, but lots of experience in the First Division, and even an England goal to his name. Should go right into the team and contribute. The only question is, is he +10 material?

UPDATE:The "player-to-be-named-later" was is John Chukwudi Utaka.

Utaka, an international team-mate of Pompey striker Kanu, made waves at Rennes with consecutive hat-tricks against Lens and Lyon last year. He ended his time in France with a tally of 22 goals in 62 appearances for Rennes and has netted four times in his 21 caps for Nigeria. Before Rennes he played for three seasons at Lens, who he joined following a season in Saudi Arabia after rising to prominence in Egypt with Ismailly.

The one-in-three goal ratio is encouraging. But probably another wait-and-see player. Will he be a starter? Will he be effective?