Fitness boost for Defoe & Diarra

Defoe is Portsmouth's leading scorer this season with seven goals

Portsmouth have been boosted by the news that Jermain Defoe and Lassana Diarra do not require surgery after the duo were examined by club specialists.

It had been feared Defoe would be out for a month if he needed an operation on a calf injury, but he could now be fit for Saturday's game with Blackburn.

Diarra, meanwhile, could return inside four weeks after being told he does not need surgery on an ankle problem.

"It's all good signs for the long term," said manager Tony Adams.

"Jermain trained on Wednesday for the first time since he came back from Germany with England. Lassana is still out in France being looked after but it is a relief that operations are not going to be necessary."

Defoe limped out of England's 2-1 win over Germany last week and missed Pompey's draw with Hull on Saturday.

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He said at the weekend: "It's got to the stage that when I play, I can't feel my foot because of the numbness. I have had treatment including acupuncture but it's showing no signs of clearing up."

Adams had feared it would take surgery to cure what he considers to be a recurring problem.

But the news that the 26-year-old does not need an operation will be welcomed by the new Pompey boss, as Defoe, who has formed a profitable partnership with Peter Crouch, is the club's leading scorer with seven goals in all competitions this season.

And Adams should also be able to call upon Sol Campbell soon following the defender's continued recovery from a toe injury.