Portsmouth have been hit by another injury setback, with defender
Tal Ben-Haim set to miss the FA Cup semi-final clash with
Tottenham.
The Fratton Park club are already reeling after learning that
defender Hermann Hreidarsson and striker Danny Webber have been
sidelined for six months.
Now Ben-Haim has added to their concerns with the Israel
international still troubled by a groin problem which required
surgery earlier this year.
Coach Paul Groves confirmed that the well-travelled
centre-back is unlikely to have recovered in time for the Wembley
showdown on 11 April.
"Tal's been to see his national team doctor," he told the
Portsmouth News.
"He will be a big doubt. A lot are coming on to their rehab
work but he is looking increasingly doubtful for the semi-final.
"Danny has ruptured his anterior cruciate and he is going to
be out for a long period.
"'I've never known a period like it, not in my time here."
There is some good news for beleaguered manager Avram Grant,
with Ricardo Rocha, Tommy Smith and John Utaka back in training.
Groves is also keeping his fingers crossed that Nadir
Belhadj, Marc Wilson and Papa Bouba Diop will have proved their
fitness before the Spurs clash.
He added: "Marc Wilson has a hamstring injury and will start
his rehab today. You would like to think he has a chance.
"The same goes for Nadir. It was a freak with him. He doesn't
miss training and works fantastically hard. Hopefully he'll be back
next week.
"John Utaka has started training, so has Tommy Smith and so
has Ricardo. They're the plusses.
"The others are coming along. Kevin Boateng has started
running and is doing well regards his rehab.
"Hassan Yebda will start running today and is moving along.
Papa sustained a knee injury. He'll start running today, so we have
one or two making their way back."
