Portsmouth Football Club News

Tony Adams warned Pompey will not sign players unless they are fit enough to slot into his Premier League plans. The Blues have been linked with countless players this transfer window, but Adams will not gamble on anyone whose fitness is way behind the rest of his squad. Pompey’s boss only wants players who he feels can step in and make an impact. That applies to Pele, even though the midfielder was not on the bench against Aston Villa on Tuesday night. Pele is close to Premier League-level fitness after arriving on loan from Porto and has already caught Adams’ eye in training. He said: “Every player’s fitness has to be at a certain level before I bring them in. “There’s no point signing them just as another body but they can’t play for ages. I need them fit and raring to go. “Pele’s training with the first team and has impressed me with his strength. He’s not too far away.” Adams also insisted he would not sign a striker unless they offered something more than the four forwards he already had at Fratton Park. He said: “I’ve got four strikers at the club: Peter Crouch and Kanu, with David Nugent and John Utaka pushing them. “I won’t be bringing any other forwards into the club unless they’re better than those four.” Pompey go to Fulham on Saturday with Nadir Balhadj suspended after his red card against Aston Villa. They are also likely to be without Sol Campbell, who failed to re-emerge for the second half against Villa because of a hip injury. Adams said: “I was encouraged by our performance against Villa. Sylvain Distin and Jermaine Pennant were outstanding, Younes Kaboul did very well when he came on and Hermann Hreidarsson has claimed his place back. “We created a lot of chances and had 17 corners, so I’m hoping the results will come. “I think we looked in good shape playing 4-4-2. We looked competitive with that system: solid at the back, with Crouchy and Kanu holding the ball up and pace down the sides. “We’re not blessed with too many fit central midfielders so it’s a system that suits us now.”

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