Pompey wait on James fitness

Posted Saturday, March 20, 2010 by PA

Portsmouth will again check on the fitness of England goalkeeper David James (calf) ahead of the Barclays Premier League clash against Hull.

Kevin Prince-Boateng (ankle), Hassan Yebda (knee) and John Utaka (groin) also face fitness tests. Right-back Anthony Vanden Borre has resumed training as he recovers from a hamstring injury.

Manager Avram Grant will, however, assess the mood of the squad following the confirmation of a nine-point penalty for Portsmouth going into administration before deciding whether to make wholesale changes from the side which lost 4-1 at Liverpool.

Midfielder Michael Brown maintains the Portsmouth players must stay positive, however.

"We will try to win the game, for sure. We have to be positive and give it our best shot," he said.

"The nine-point deduction has come in now, which had been dragging on and we had sort of been waiting for it.

"We are all very disappointed with that, but we have to go on now and win as many games as we can."

Brown added: "It has been there for a while, and it was not as if we did not know it was coming.

"The second we went into administration, we all knew it was going to be difficult not to receive the deduction.

"We have been dealt that now, and have to move on, concentrating on the game.

"It is about ourselves - we are here to play for Portsmouth.

"The supporters are going to be paying their money, and we will be trying to beat Hull.

"They are a team around us and I am sure we can take the three points off them.

"Hull will be raring to go and want to do well for a new manager. He will have them motivated and well organised, so it will be tough."

Iain Dowie will make his first team selection as Hull manager.

George Boateng is suspended after being sent off in last weekend's 2-1 defeat to Arsenal and Anthony Gardner (ankle) is still ruled out, but Stephen Hunt may be available following a foot injury.

Kamil Zayatte is set to be sidelined after being carried off against Arsenal but Paul McShane could return after missing the game against the Gunners following a family bereavement.