Kanu nearing new deal

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Kanu scored his third goal in six Barclays Premier League appearances in the 1-0 win at Blackburn to give Pompey their first away victory since Boxing Day.

Dismissing suggestions he would have been happy to offload the striker during the summer, manager Harry Redknapp said: "I always wanted to keep him, but he was looking at two years (on his contract). So I said he could have a year and if he played 20 games, I saw that as a fair deal for him."

He added: "It was then just a matter of convincing him, so I said to him, 'If you don't play 20 games then you are not worth another year'.

"Then I added, 'But you will play 20 games because you are still good enough'.

"In the end he was okay with that, and that's the deal he got. He has since played in every game bar one."

Kanu was asked to lead the line on his own at Ewood Park, and he did so superbly, earning his just reward in the 25th minute.

After being denied by two stunning Brad Friedel saves in a matter of seconds just a minute previously, Kanu showed strength, touch and composure to net the winner and thrill Redknapp.

"You can imagine what he was like when he was 20 because he is a great talent, a special talent," said Redknapp. "You watch him in training and he can do things with the ball that are just amazing.

"But then you don't play for AC Milan, Ajax and Arsenal if you are not a good player, and he has been a top, top player."