Injury boost for Hart

Piquionne: No lasting damage

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• Frederic Piquionne
• Nadir Belhadj

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  • Nwankwo Kanu

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Paul Hart has welcomed the news that Steve Finnan and Frederic Piquionne look set to shake off slight knocks.

The Portsmouth boss feared the worst when the pair were forced off during Saturday's morale-boosting 4-0 victory over Wigan.

With that result offering Pompey hope in their battle to steer clear of trouble, the last thing Hart needed was to have his numbers shorn.

However, both men have been given the all clear by the club's medical staff and are expected to be fit for duty in time for a weekend trip to Blackburn.

Finnan limped off against Wigan with a groin complaint, while Piquionne was stretchered off with his head in a brace following an awkward fall.

"Fred took a knock on the back of the neck and he was startled for a little while, but he's fine," Hart told The News.

"Steve picked up a bit of a strain in the groin area.

"He doesn't think it's too bad, but we will have to give it time to settle down to see how it is.'"

Class

Reflecting on the comprehensive weekend success, Hart was also full of praise for veteran frontman Kanu and Algerian full-back Nadir Belhadj, who both made important contributions after stepping off the bench.

He said: "Kanu made an impact when he came on. I just wish I'd had him 20 years ago.

"I saw him play for Ajax when he was younger. He has got great class, he's a great bloke to have around the place and he did tremendously well when he went on.

"Steve Finnan has done great for us lately, but Nadir came on and is defending better than ever.

"I know he made a couple of mistakes earlier this season, but we've been working with him every day and there has been a massive improvement."