Pompey to keep Kanu

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has insisted that Kanu will play the required 20 games that is stipulated within his contract that will enable the striker to earn another year on his current contract. Rumours began after Kanu missed the recent game against Reading.

Redknapp said: "If Kanu doesn't play in 20 games he doesn't deserve another year, but he will play 20 games because he's good enough.

"And it is 20 appearances, too, not 20 starts. So he is going to get the games. Apart from injuries, he has been starting all the time anyway. He didn't start at Derby but still came on."

After top-scoring with 12 Pompey goals last season, Kanu originally wanted the security of a new two-year deal, fearing that the African Nations Cup would take too much out of him.

But he settled for an appearances clause in the shorter contract which entitled him to an extra year and Redknapp admits: "Saturday-Wednesday-Saturday is too much for him.

"He takes a week to recover from matches sometimes but he is a player we very much depend on - especially when we play only one man up. He has the quality and experience to hold the ball and bring others into play as well as scoring himself."