32 -year old former England international and Portsmouth defender Sol Campbell has been ruled out of Portsmouth's final two games against Everton and Arsenal in the Premiership due to injury, and an operation is likely to take place in the summer.

Pompey boss Harry Redknapp said: "Sol's got a little bit of a tear in there and it looks like he's out for the season."

Redknapp fully knows that only maximum number of points in the last two matches could find Portsmouth qualified for the UEFA Cup for the first time. And at this juncture the absence of Campbell due to injury will be great for the Pompey side.

Redknapp added: "Sol's had a scan and now it's a case of whether he needs an operation or not.

"What we don't want is for him to rest it through the summer only for it to go at the start of next season.

"We coped without Sol in the wins over Manchester United and Liverpool. But losing him now is a big blow."