Pompey line up Yakubu replacement

By John May

Saints raid Pompey for Quashie

Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric admits he has lined up possible replacements for striker Yakubu.

Mandaric also admitted his hand may be forced by a trigger-clause agreement with Israeli club Maccabi Haifa.

Pompey are obliged to accept any bid over £6m for the Nigerian, of which Maccabi would get half.

Mandaric told BBC Sport: "We've got three players lined up, a Premiership striker and two from overseas playing at a similar level."

Portsmouth would be reluctant to sell their prized asset, but Mandaric said: "It may be something that is forced out of our hands."

Mandaric held a meeting on Thursday night with agent Pini Zahavi in the wake of speculation that Newcastle are leading the chase for Yakubu who has scored 24 goals in 53 League appearances for Pompey.

Mandaric said: "If Yakubu wants to play in the Champions League, the best way to keep him would be for us to get there.

"We we will do everything we can to keep him as he is an important player for us.

"But we also have to consider what could happen and look at alternatives and we have a few options at this time."