POMPEY HOPEFUL OF DEFOE RECOVERY

Defoe - struggling for fitness.

Portsmouth are banking on forward Jermain Defoe recovering from a virus in time to start against Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday.

If the England striker is fit, boss Harry Redknapp is likely to stick with a 4-4-2 formation, but could revert to a five-man midfield if he fails to make it.

Niko Kranjcar could be out until Christmas after an ankle operation while new winger Jerome Thomas (back) is a doubt and Glen Little (thigh), Kanu (ankle) and David Nugent (groin) are still not ready.

Sean Davis looks set to keep his place and Hermann Hreidarsson could return after being dropped for the defeat by Manchester United on Monday.

Louis Saha and Segundo Castillo will not feature for Everton but fellow new signing Lars Christian Jacobsen should play.

Saha looks set to move from Manchester United but needs to undergo a medical before the deal is sealed while Castillo's international clearance is not yet ready after his switch from Red Star Belgrade.

Sorensen is likely to feature but the Toffeemen are still without Steven Pienaar (broken toe), Tim Cahill (foot), Tony Hibbert (knee) and Andy van der Meyde (hamstring)

Teams:

Everton (from): Howard, Neville, Yobo, Lescott, Jacobsen, Baines, Jagielka, Arteta, Rodwell, Osman, Baxter, Yakubu, Turner, Jutkiewicz, Agard, Kissock, Wallace.

Portsmouth (from): James; Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Kaboul, Diop, Diarra, Davis, A Traore, Defoe, Crouch, Utaka, Pamarot, Mvuemba, Sahar, Thomas, Lauren, Hughes, Cranie, Ashdown.