Portsmouth

Yakubu unwell with malaria again
Middlesbrough-bound striker Yakubu is suffering from malaria - a year after first contracting the disease. Yakubu, who will join Boro from Portsmouth in a £6m deal this month, has pulled out of Nigeria's World Cup qualifier with Rwanda. He said: "I have malaria. I have taken medication and feel better but I didn't want to disgrace myself and my country after the way I felt a few days ago. "It is a pity - I love playing for my country. I hope Nigerians understand." Yakubu had malaria just before the start of the 2002-03 season. It cost him a slow start to that campaign but he eventually scored 19 goals and steered Pompey well clear of relegation. While Boro are likely to be anxious about their new man's condition, Pompey are weighing up a move to replace him with Israeli striker Yaniv Katan.

Perrin keen on Robert for Pompey
Portsmouth manager Alain Perrin is keen to bring Newcastle winger Laurent Robert to Fratton Park. Perrin sees Robert, 30, as a possible replacement for Patrik Berger, who was released at the end of last season. But Pompey chairman Milan Mandaric may be deterred by the £4m price tag Newcastle have placed on Robert. Perrin told BBC Radio Solent: "We're looking for a left-sided player and Laurent is someone I would like to bring to the club." The Pompey boss said: "We're looking for several players, most of all a left-winger, a central defender and a centre-forward." Despite his undoubted talents, Robert found it difficult to command a regular first-team at Newcastle under boss Graeme Souness, with whom he has had a difficult relationship. Robert declared after Newcastle's final game of last season against Chelsea that it was his last for the club. He started just 20 Premiership games last season, and many of his appearances were from the substitutes bench. Former Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson signed Robert from French club Paris St Germain in August 2001 and he still has a year left on his contract. Meanwhile, Perrin could be taken to an industrial tribunal in France by his former club Troyes. Troyes claim Perrin owes them £700,000 as part of an agreement when they allowed him to terminate his contract early in order to take over at Marseille.

Pompey open talks on O'Brien deal
Portsmouth have been given permission to speak to Newcastle's Andy O'Brien. The 25-year-old Republic of Ireland defender is due on the South Coast to discuss the move, which will end O'Brien's four years on Tyneside. Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie said: "We are still a long way from signing Andy, though the first steps of talking to him are underway." O'Brien, a £1m signing from Bradford in March 2001, has made 172 appearances for Newcastle, 11 as a substitute. His contribution has included big Champions League games against Dynamo Kiev, Feyenoord, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen. However, the Harrogate-born central defender has had to cope with the criticism thrown at a rearguard which has been blamed repeatedly for the club's lack of tangible success. Loanee Sylvain Distin and former Leeds defender Jonathan Woodgate have come and gone, while Titus Bramble and Jean-Alain Boumsong have joined at great expense. Although O'Brien has at times had to take a back seat, he nevertheless signed a year's contract extension in January as Souness tied up his immediate future. However, a series of below-par performances towards the end of last season saw sections of the crowd target O'Brien, whose confidence suffered as a result.

Robert completes Portsmouth move
Portsmouth have won the race to sign Newcastle winger Laurent Robert. Robert, 30, has signed a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee after he opted to join Pompey ahead of Bolton. The winger joined Newcastle for £9.5m from Paris St Germain in 2001 but after the Magpies' last game of the season he vowed never to play for them again. Chief executive Peter Storrie told the Pompey website: "It shows everybody not only our intentions, but some of the top players' ambitions for the future." Robert had a fractious relationship with Newcastle boss Graeme Souness following Bobby Robson's departure. It is believed Robert chose to join Portsmouth after they offered him a three-year deal. Bolton had only been prepared to offer the winger a two-year contract. Newcastle are likely to ask for a transfer fee of £2m for Robert.

Storrie says there's more to come
Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie says the club will sign more players this summer. Pompey have recently signed Andy O'Brien and Laurent Robert from Newcastle but Storrie said: "There are more in the pipeline. "People have to remember that players are away on holiday at the moment and it is difficult getting hold of them. "But we have one or two other deals close to completion and they will happen in early July if not before."

Robert eager to seize opportunity
Portsmouth's new signing Laurent Robert says he joined the club from Newcastle because he was made to feel wanted by manager Alain Perrin. Robert, 30, spent four years at St James' Park before falling out with Newcastle boss Graeme Souness and moving to Fratton Park for around £2m. "This is another challenge for me. The directors, the coach and the president wanted me," he said. "At some time you must make a decision. I'll try to give my best to the club." Robert can fill the space left by Patrik Berger's move to Aston Villa, and Perrin said he felt the Frenchman's versatility would add a new dimension to their game. "Laurent has a very good shot and is excellent from free-kicks. He can score from all over," he said. "He has a good cross and lots of pace, so has the ability to provide lots of assists as well as score goals. "We needed to find someone down the left side of the pitch to replace Berger, and we have."

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Robert to miss Newcastle fixtures
New Portsmouth signing Laurent Robert will not play against former club Newcastle next season in either of their two Premiership meetings. The 30-year-old joined Pompey for an disclosed fee after Magpies manager Graeme Souness made it clear the Frenchman did not figure in his plans. And Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd revealed Robert will not face his team. "Freddy has confirmed that Laurent won't play against the Magpies next season," said a Newcatle statement.

Lowe cools Phillips switch talk
Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe has rubbished rumours which suggest striker Kevin Phillips could be moving to south coast rivals Portsmouth. Reports suggested that Pompey would offer cash plus Ricardo Fuller for the 31-year-old striker. "It is tittle tattle. We have not heard anything from Pompey at all," Lowe told Saints' official website. Phillips, who has won eight England caps, joined Southampton from Sunderland for £3.25m in August 2003. He has scored 27 goals for the club in 57 appearances. Phillips' agent Jon Smith has said that six or seven clubs are interested in the striker - with Celtic boss Gordon Strachan also keen to sign him.

Pompey say Robert deal permanent
Portsmouth insist Laurent Robert has signed for them on a permanent basis and not, according to reports, on loan. Confusion arose about the move after Magpies chairman Freddy Shepherd said Robert would not be allowed to play against Newcastle next season. Such restrictions do not occur in permanent deals but Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie said: "He is with us for three years." The 30-year-old winger signed for Portsmouth for an undisclosed fee. Storrie added: "The only get-out clause to this would be if we are relegated but this is merely precautionary and a sensible move. "We would not be signing players with the ability of Laurent if we thought we would be playing Championship football in a year's time. "And Laurent would not be signing for us if he didn't believe the same." Robert had a fractious relationship with Newcastle boss Graeme Souness following Sir Bobby Robson's departure.

Pompey keen to bring back Aloisi
Portsmouth are hoping to bring back Osasuna's Australian international striker John Aloisi. Aloisi, 29, joined Pompey from Cremona for £300,000 in August 1997 before he was sold to Coventry for £650,000 just over a year later. Pompey chairman Milan Mandaric told BBC Radio Solent: "John is one of our targets and we're hoping to enter a serious dialogue with him soon. "I'm very hopeful that he will be one of our strikers for the coming season." Aloisi was one of a quartet of Australian players signed by then boss Terry Fenwick on the recommendation of Pompey chairman Terry Venables, who was coach of Australia. Craig Foster, Hamilton Thorpe and Robbie Ennis completed the quartet but Aloisi has become the biggest name of the four. He scored 26 goals in 60 league appearances for Pompey before he was signed for Coventry by former Southampton boss Gordon Strachan. Aloisi struggled in his two-and-a-half years with the Sky Blues in the Premiership, making only 18 starts and 23 substitute appearances, in which he scored 10 goals. He joined Osasuna in July 2001 for £1.2m and has scored 27 goals in 118 appearances for the Spanish club. Aloisi has been a consistent scorer for the Australian national team, scoring 21 goals in 34 appearances for the Socceroos. His performance at the Confederations Cup tournament in Germany has put him in the shop window after scoring twice against both the hosts and Argentina.

Portsmouth to miss out on Aloisi
Portsmouth are set to miss out on a move for Osasuna's Australian striker John Aloisi, BBC Sport understands. Pompey were keen to bring back the 29-year-old for a second spell but instead the player is set to sign for Greek side Panathinaikos this week. Aloisi, who is available on a free transfer, has also had interest from Manchester City as well as sides in France, Spain and Italy. But it seems that the lure of Champions League football in Greece has won out. Osasuna were keen to keep hold of the player, who has also been chased by fellow Spanish side Celta Vigo and Serie A clubs, including Parma. But Aloisi is keen to play Champions League football and win trophies with Panathinaikos, who have been Greek champions 19 times but finished a point behind winners Olympiakos last season. Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric had earlier warned Aloisi that he would not break the bank to bring him back to Fratton Park, with reports suggesting that he wanted £30,000 a week. Aloisi joined Pompey from Cremona for £300,000 in August 1997 before he was sold to Coventry for £650,000 just over a year later. He was one of a quartet of Australian players signed by the then boss Terry Fenwick on the recommendation of Pompey chairman Terry Venables, who was coach of Australia. Craig Foster, Hamilton Thorpe and Robbie Ennis completed the quartet but Aloisi has become the biggest name of the four. He scored 26 goals in 60 league appearances for Pompey before he was signed for Coventry by former Southampton boss Gordon Strachan. Aloisi struggled in his two-and-a-half years with the Sky Blues in the Premiership, making only 18 starts and 23 substitute appearances, in which he scored 10 goals. He joined Osasuna in July 2001 for £1.2m and has scored 27 goals in 118 appearances for the Spanish club. Aloisi has been a consistent scorer for the Australian national team, scoring 21 goals in 34 appearances for the Socceroos. His performance at the Confederations Cup tournament in Germany put him in the shop window after scoring twice against both the hosts and Argentina.

Mandaric gives Ashdown assurance
Chairman Milan Mandaric has assured goalkeer Jamie Ashdown that he has a future at Portsmouth. Portsmouth are embroiled in a row with Norwich over claims they were quoted £2.5m for keeper Robert Green. Ashdown, 24, established himself as number one at Fratton Park ahead of Kostas Chalkias, and after Shaka Hislop's release. But Mandaric told BBC Radio Solent: "We rate Jamie highly and whoever is the best keeper will be number one." The Pompey chairman admitted they are looking to bolster their goalkeeping options, but said coach Alain Perrin would have the final say on who was brought in. Mandaric said: "It's Alain's responsibility and choice, that's why we employ a coach. "I couldn't tell you who is going to be first or second choice, that's down to Alain." Norwich reacted angrily to Mandaric's claim that the Canaries are willing to let newly capped England international Green go. Mandaric had claimed: "We were trying to see if Green would be available and for what money. "We asked Norwich and they told us they would sell him for £2.5m." But Canaries chief executive Neil Doncaster said: "This is totally inaccurate. We have had no contact with Portsmouth whatsoever about Robert." He added on the club website: "We have spoken to Portsmouth expressing our anger and disappointment about their claims, which are wholly without foundation."

Unsworth agent rejects Town link
Portsmouth defender David Unsworth's agent has rubbished reports that he is set to move to Ipswich - where he spent six months on loan last season. Agent Hayden Evans insists that the 31-year-old is not interested in a season-long loan move to Portman Road. "There have been enquiries, but he's coming back to Pompey on Friday for training," "David has a year left on his contract at Pompey, and the Premier League is really where he feels he belongs." The former Everton defender has one year remaining on his contract at Fratton Park - and Ipswich boss Joe Royle had admitted that he was looking to sign a defender. Evans continued: "We're waiting to hear from Pompey themselves, which is where all the enquiries are going because he's contracted. "Ipswich were keen to extend the loan deal, which would mean him going there for his last year of contract on loan, but unless they secure something permanently then that's not the one. "There is a new manager (at Pompey) and obviously a lot of the old regime, so we don't know if David's face fits or not. He's just been told to report to training on Friday. "If the right bids come in that Pompey are prepared to accept, at that stage it's over to us to talk to the clubs. "But clearly he has a year left at a club in the Premiership - he isn't going to want to drop to a club in the Championship. "We're not unduly worried if he goes back to Pompey. People tend to forget, he's not 34 - he's only 31 this year. There's plenty left in him yet." Evans did reveal though, that Unsworth would look kindly on any bid from his old mentor Harry Redknapp at Southampton. The Saints made an enquiry about Unsworth in January but negotiations were never started and Evans said that could be an option if Redknapp came in again. "Last January there was intimations that they (Saints) might be interested but it was felt that it might be far too volatile at that time to pursue that line of enquiry, so it never happened," he explained. "That would interest us. One of the main reasons he came to Pompey was Harry, as some of his best football was played under him at West Ham. "So it would be nice to think that Harry might want to talk to him but there have been no conversations at all at this time."

Perrin mulls over move for Cole
Portsmouth manager Alain Perrin has told BBC Radio Solent he is likely to make a decision on Chelsea striker Carlton Cole after the weekend. The Frenchman said negotiations are on-going with the Stamford Bridge club about the 21-year-old forward. But Perrin added the club are scouring the world for a replacement for Yakubu, who has moved to Middlesbrough. "We've not got a deal with Cole yet," he said. "Maybe we can take him but we're not sure at the moment." He added: "We have to look at the other strikers we can take, maybe we will make a decision after the weekend." "We have some possibilities with foreign players, there's an Argentine and a couple of French strikers. "We have many possibilities but we don't want to talk about that because we are in negotiations." The Pompey boss has ruled out a move for the Mali international Mamaduo Bagayoko. Pompey were thought to be interested in the Nantes striker, but Perrin says he was never a realistic target. He said: "Bagayoko was not on our list, he was offered to the club but he is not in my plans."

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