Pompey fans reject Harris bid

Pompey fans reject Harris bid

Published Feb. 18, 2013 1:15 p.m. ET

Cardiff centre-back Ben Turner looks set for a return to the line-up as they welcome Brighton.

The former Coventry defender, 25, has missed the last two games for the Bluebirds, against Huddersfield and Bristol City, with an ankle injury.

He looks likely to replace young defender Ben Nugent who picked up a dead leg in Saturday's victory over the Robins.

Manager Malky Mackay has no other injury concerns as Cardiff look to extend their 11-point lead over third-place Watford.

ADVERTISEMENT

Winger Craig Noone returned to the side for the first time in a month against Bristol City and he is expected to continue in the starting line-up when his former club arrive in South Wales.

And despite his side's comfortable position at the top of the table, Mackay knows Cardiff cannot get carried away.

He said: "It is a relentless and unforgiving league and one that will constantly bite you if you don't approach it in a respectful and correct manner.

"It is about us making sure we go out there and do our jobs. I talk to them about being business-like. They know exactly what they have to do."

Brighton could be boosted by the return of skipper Gordon Greer.

The centre-half has missed the last three matches with a hamstring injury but has returned to training and will be assessed prior to kick-off.

Midfielder Andy Crofts will miss out again with a hamstring problem but the Seagulls hope he will resume training later this week ahead of Saturday's visit of Burnley.

Ashley Barnes completes a three-match ban and fellow striker Will Hoskins faces a spell out after suffering a knee injury in the 1-1 draw with Blackburn last Tuesday night.

Craig Mackail-Smith is pushing for a recall in attack alongside January signing Leonardo Ulloa after dropping to the bench against Rovers.

Harris' offer, made public on Monday, comes after Portsmouth's administrators PKF confirmed earlier this month they were considering a bid he was fronting.

The Football League responded then by announcing the south coast club would be expelled if the Pompey Supporters' Trust - PKF's preferred bidder - was not successful.

Trust spokesman Colin Farmery said fans had no interest in Harris' offer, in which 15% of shares will be allocated free to a group made up of supporters who have donated funds to PST, season-ticket holders and hospitality clients.

Farmery said: "Why would we be interested in 15% when we are just about to take a 100% stake in the club?

"It is curious timing to say the least from Mr Harris with the Football League having made it quite clear that our bid is the only one that can be considered.

"Mr Harris seems to think he has still got a bid but he hasn't. Our bid is literally about dotting the i's and crossing the t's."

The Trust expect to move a step closer to acquiring the club on Thursday when a court hearing will set a final date for the valuation of Fratton Park to be heard, followed by a high court date at which the Trust expect to be given the right to take over the club.

The Football League were not available for comment on whether Harris's revised bid would change anything with regard to their previous expulsion threat.

share