Redknapp hopeful over James

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The 37-year-old, who tore a calf muscle last week is starting a 19-day battle to be ready for Pompey's Wembley date on May 17 against Cardiff.

Redknapp admitted: "You never know with calf injuries how long they will take. He did it at Manchester City and we finally got him to have a scan on Thursday which showed a grade-one tear."

He added: "If he had trained Friday it could have turned into a grade four but, no, hopefully it shouldn't be a problem - if he takes his time and gets the right treatment."

It has been a difficult week for Redknapp with the death of his sister-in-law Pat, the mother of Chelsea star Frank Lampard.

Defeat by battling Blackburn, courtesy of Paraguay striker Santa Cruz's clinical 73rd-minute strike at Fratton Park, means that Pompey, barring a miracle, cannot now finish fifth in the table.

That was their insurance plan for entry to the UEFA Cup should they suffer a shock defeat by mid-table Championship side Cardiff, but Blackburn can still make it into Europe if they finish above Aston Villa and take England's Intertoto Cup place which could lead to a repeat of this season's UEFA Cup participation.

Redknapp said: "Fifth was always going to be difficult for us but I don't think it's the most important thing.

"Things have not been easy for me. My wife is in bits but you just have to crack on. A win against Blackburn would have been nice but that's how it goes, and if we can win at Wembley that's probably the only win that matters now.

"Blackburn came with a 4-5-1 set-up with Santa Cruz on the right of midfield and it was only in the second half when Mark (Hughes) pushed him up front with Jason Roberts and they looked a better team."