The Sun News On-line

The Super Eagles duo of Nwankwo Kanu and John Chukwudi Utaka missed Portsmouth’s first pre-season friendly against League Two newcomers, Exeter FC, at St James Park.

Report on the club’s Web site noted that the Nigerian duo were not parts of the game, following the extended break given to them by Pompey manager, Harry Redknapp for participating in the World/Nations Cup qualifiers with the Super Eagles.

"Pompey fielded the majority of their squad at St James' Park. However, Lassana Diarra, Niko Kranjcar, Kanu and John Utaka were not present, having been given extra time off," it noted.

Interestingly, new arrival and Kanu’s rival, Peter Crouch, who completed his move from Liverpool last week made his Pompey debut after one week intensive training at Fratton Park.
Meanwhile, Crouch who was the point of attraction, reiterated his determination to keep a permanent starting shirt, even as he admitted that the competition would be tough.

"Any player will tell you we all work best when we are playing every week and having a good run of games. I have got to work hard, there is no given right I will be in the final XI. If I work hard in the pre-season then hopefully I can get a good run of games. Rafa Benitez has obviously got his ideas – my idea is to play every single week yet that wasn't the case towards the end.
"But I have got no bitterness towards the manager, that's his decision. Although I was in and out of it too much for my liking, I certainly always felt when I played I did well. I gave my best for him and that came across in my performances.

"It was between a good level of games and not playing as much as you would like and towards the end it got a bit too much. At the end of the day, things might have worked out differently but I'm certainly looking forward to this challenge at Portsmouth," he added.