Avram Grant hopes Aruna Dindane will be allowed to feature in the Premier League run-in by parent club Lens.
Pompey boss hopes striker will be allowed to play in league
Portsmouth manager Avram Grant hopes Aruna Dindane will be allowed to feature in the Premier League run-in by parent club Lens.
Reports have suggested that the French club will allow Dindane to play in the FA Cup final between Pompey and Chelsea on 15th May, but not in the league fixtures preceding that clash.
This is because another appearance in the English top-flight would trigger a clause in the Ivorian's loan deal requiring Portsmouth to pay £4million to Lens.
If the clause is not waived it will give Grant more selection problems, as the Israeli tactician was forced to play a number of youngsters against Wigan on Wednesday.
"I hope Lens will be reasonable and let him play," he said.
"Many things that happened last Sunday were a miracle. Players played after two months out and they had to play for 120 minutes.
"Aruna Dindane was one of those who came back, but I don't think it can happen twice for the final. We need Aruna to play a few games before.
"I think it can only be good for the club and the player. He is going to play in the World Cup as well.
"I think they will be reasonable and let him play. Why not? I don't see any reason why not.
"I hope I'll be able to use him but you can't be confident with anything off the field at this club."
Stranded
Meanwhile, midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng faces a race to be back in time for the game against Aston Villa on Sunday.
The 23-year-old was given two days off following the FA Cup semi-final win over Tottenham last weekend but is currently stranded in mainland Europe.
With a cloud of volcanic ash disrupting flights on the continent, he may have to travel back to England by car, and Grant concedes he does not know if he will make it.
He added: "Kevin should have been back Thursday but now he is talking about coming back by car - but how long does that take?
"He played 120 minutes at Wembley after taking six weeks to get over an ankle injury and he needed the rest. We'll have to wait and see if he gets back in time."
