James keen to face Fulham

Pompey keeper does not want to be rested

By Rob Parrish   Last updated: 7th May 2008

David James Portsmouth

James: Fit again

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David James does not want to be kicking his heels on the bench when Portsmouth end their Premier League season against Fulham.

Pompey tackle the relegation-threatened Cottagers at Fratton Park on Sunday, their final outing before they come up against Cardiff in the FA Cup final on 17th May.

James has been passed fit for the Wembley showpiece after missing the last two matches with a calf injury, and there have been suggestions that manager Harry Redknapp will rest his No.1 this weekend.

But the England international is eager to get back out on the field and admitted he is not the best of spectators.

Frustrating

He told Sky Sports News: "I want to play, of course. I wanted to play against Blackburn and I wanted to play against Middlesbrough. But the medical team ordered it (James' absence), and that's what they get paid to do.

"It's frustrating not to be playing, but at the same time you're part of the team. And if the gaffer doesn't want me to play, as much as I will dislike it for the entire match, then fine, that's the way the club has got to work.

"It's virtually the first league games in five years that I've missed, so I didn't really know what do to with myself. It was very frustrating, but now I've been given the all-clear, hopefully I can persuade the gaffer to play on Sunday."

Implications

James is all-too aware of what is riding on Sunday's fixture for the visitors, who must win to be certain of retaining their Premier League status, while Pompey have nothing to play for in the league but have cup final places at stake.

He added: "We've got the game against Fulham, which is an important one for many different people.

"Finishing in fifth is impossible now, but it's important we have players maximising their performance ahead of the game against Cardiff.

"And Fulham require a result to keep them out of the Championship, so there are a lot of implications for a lot of people here on Sunday."