Portsmouth 2 - 2 AC Milan

Portsmouth face injury woe ahead of Milan clash

Updated: November 26, 2008, 7:21 PM UK

Portsmouth's fears that Jermain Defoe and Lassana Diarra would need surgery have lifted after both players were examined by specialists.

But neither England striker Defoe (calf) nor France midfielder Diarra (ankle) will be fit for the glamour UEFA Cup tie against AC Milan at Fratton Park.

Captain Sol Campbell (toe) and winger John Utaka (hip) have also been ruled out while midfielder Sean Davis, recovering from flu, is another doubt.

Diarra could still be out for another month after being injured at West Ham nearly three weeks ago but Campbell and Defoe have an outside chance of making the squad for Sunday's home game with Blackburn.

Manager Tony Adams said: ''It's all good signs for the long term really. Jermain trained for the first time [on Wednesday] since he came back from Germany with England and Lassana is still out in France being looked after but it is a relief that operations are not going to be necessary.''

With David Nugent, Lauren and Jerome Thomas ineligible having not been included in former manager Harry Redknapp's initial UEFA Cup squad, Adams is struggling to put together a squad for the Group E match.

Defoe could even be named on the bench to make up the numbers although Adams will not risk using him.

Milan have brought 21 players to the south coast, including Brazilian stars Ronaldinho and Kaka, but are without skipper Paolo Maldini and look set to field former Arsenal pair Philippe Senderos and Mathieu Flamini as well as £30million ex-Chelsea flop Andriy Shevchenko.

Adams has warned his team it is ''feet on the floor time'' as he looks to maintain his focus on retaining Portsmouth's Premier League status.

He said: ''Let's not big it up too much - for us it's all about three points. Don't get me wrong, it's a dream and we can live it and make it happen because it is achievable but it's one for the supporters really.

''Our priority has got to be the Premier League and staying in it so that we can have these kind of games every year.''

Adams added: ''Of course we want to go through to the next stage but we were awful against Braga in the first match in the group when we lost 3-0 and we probably need to take a point here and get results in the next two UEFA Cup games against Wolfsburg and Heerenveen.

''This game is a reward for what we did last season. Winning the FA Cup was a fantastic achievement and some of the players who helped us do that have a chance to show they can still be part of the club's future.

''I've had some great nights in Europe and this is another adventure on our journey but we are coming up to a series of Premier League games where we can expect to take points and for me that's always the main thing.

''It's unfortunate we are not taking on Milan with more of our top players but for me that's another challenge and I'm looking forward to it but it is still feet-on-the-floor time.''

Portsmouth have been warned Shevchenko could be the man to ruin their big night.

Legendary head coach Carlo Ancelotti has the Ukrainian striker, 32, back on loan at the San Siro after two miserable seasons at Stamford Bridge where he scored just nine Premier League goals.

Although Shevchenko, who has still been troubled by a groin injury, has scored only once for Milan in his second spell with them and appeared for a total of only 128 minutes, Ancelotti insists: ''He is still one of the best strikers in the world.

''He will start against Portsmouth and I'm hopeful he will play a great game. He has worked very hard getting fit.''

Ancelotti added: ''We know all about Portsmouth and they are a strong side at home. They will also have the crowd behind them which will be very beneficial but we have travelled everywhere and I believe we will not be intimidated.

''The dressing rooms at Portsmouth may be small and the stadium a little old-fashioned English ground but the pitch is in good condition and when it comes to scoring goals that is what is important.''