Sol and James won't let England down, says Pompey boss Redknapp

He said: "Sol has been fantastic since he came to the club a year ago. An absolute dream of a free transfer. People tried to talk me out of going for him after some of the problems he'd experienced in his last season at Arsenal. They said I wouldn't get many games out of him. Things like that.

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Still a lot to offer: David James

"But I saw him as a statement of intent. As a measure of how far this club had come in five years. Attracting players like Sol and David James represented a massive step forward for Portsmouth. His last game for Arsenal was in a Champions League final and I thought he was man of the match in Paris that night, and he settled in quickly and really lifted the place." Ditto James, insisted Redknapp yesterday.

"Again, people tried to convince me to look at other goalkeepers," he said. "But I'd always liked the look of Jamo and I wanted him. 'He's been extraordinary for us. The clean sheets last season - I thought he was one of the best in the Premiership - and the performances he's produced this pre-season. He trains harder than anyone, he's got a great attitude and his talent is just incredible.

"If you were comparing him to an outfield player, you'd say he's the goalkeeping equivalent of Cristiano Ronaldo. He has the ability to make things look so easy." Because of that, and because of Campbell's consistency at Fratton Park, Redknapp would urge McClaren to send for Portsmouth's two highest-profile players in England's hour of need.

An injury to Ben Foster leaves McClaren short of goalkeepers, while injuries to John Terry, Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate, and Jamie Carragher's decision to retire from international football, amounts to a crisis at centre half ahead of this month's friendly with Germany and next month's Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Russia.

Redknapp said: "They've both been there and done it all, and England could do with that kind of experience at the moment If Terry's injured, Sol is the perfect replacement and Jamo can also do a job for them. They will be key players for us again this season."

Campbell is ready and waiting. He said: "If it's one game or 15 games it doesn't matter. If the chance is there I will take it - I've had some great times playing for my country. I understand the situation because of injuries to certain players."

Redknapp would see it as a huge honour for the club. After all, a Portsmouth player has not been selected for England since Mark Hateley in 1984. He said: "It would be terrific for Portsmouth. And, don't forget, we've got David Nugent here as well now. Again, it would show how far we've come as a football club."