Redknapp: Bosnich nearly joined us

The former Aston Villa and Manchester United custodian was axed by Premiership side Chelsea last season and given a nine-month suspension by The FA last April after testing positive for cocaine.

Redknapp stated that he was close to bringing the former Australian international into his Fratton Park squad on a short-term contract, despite the player being in the midst of his lengthy ban.

However, Bosnich backed out of a proposed deal to join the South Coast club, with Redknapp claiming the keeper was not ready to make a return to the game.

"Yes, it's true I have been speaking to Mark about coming to Portsmouth," Redknapp told The People.

"We wanted to help and I wanted to help him too and offer him a way back to playing again.

"But I think it's too much for Mark at the moment and I don't think he's ready for that kind of commitment yet, so nothing will be happening with us."