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Pompey stopper James to be fit for FA Cup final

07/05/2008

Portsmouth goalkeeper David James has been passed fit for the FA Cup final against Cardiff City next weekend.

There had been fears the veteran shot-stopper, who was named as the starting goalkeeper in the Premier League's team of the season last week, may not recover from a calf injury in time to play at Wembley on May 17th.

But after a scan on the injury today, James was given the go-ahead to resume training and will be fit for the match in ten days' time.

It remains unclear whether Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp will play James in the club's final league match of the season at home to relegation-threatened Fulham at Fratton Park.

Instead he could opt to continue with the England international's understudy Jamie Ashdown, who has deputised in the last two matches.

Despite playing in the first team in the last fortnight and being widely touted as James' natural successor, Ashdown has shown signs in recent weeks that he may be keen to leave in the summer in order to gain a regular starting spot elsewhere.

James, despite being 37 and in the twilight of his career, has shown he is still more than capable of playing at the top level.

He has also indicated he is keen to continue for another two or three seasons yet, meaning Ashdown may be in his 30s before he takes over the number one jersey.

"I'm under contract here, but of course I want to play," Ashdown told Portsmouth daily paper The News.

"I guess it's down to the gaffer if he wants to get rid of me.

"But I'm not going to go banging down his door unless it's a top side who want me, to be honest, or a big one in the Championship."