Harry Redknapp worries about Fulham game

If Fulham needed any further cause for optimism after emerging from the relegation zone on Saturday, then they should have listened to Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp later that evening.

With an FA Cup final looming against Cardiff City, Redknapp promised that he would not hurry England goalkeeper David James back into action for the visit of Fulham on Sunday.

James' absence with a calf injury helped Middlesbrough secure their own Premier League status. Although Redknapp absolved stand-in keeper Jamie Ashdown of any blame for Boro's two goals, it is surely no coincidence that they both stemmed from leaden defending at set-pieces that is anathema to James.

"I'm pleased David James is on the road to recovery because he's the best keeper in the country, but Jamie has done a good job," Redknapp said. "I want Jamo back playing but he's not 100 per cent fit at the moment. He's still got a bit of a calf strain, but I won't rush him if there's any danger of it going."

Ashdown is certainly not fretting about James' absence. Asked if he wanted his colleague to be fit for Wembley, he replied: "Personally, no. I'm a professional and like everyone else I want to play in the Cup final. He [James] understands that I want to play at Wembley as much as he does. On the back of playing three games I am ready."

Whatever happens to James, Redknapp is not relishing the prospect of taking on Fulham. "It'll be a real fierce game but it's not really the game I wanted a week before the Cup final to be truthful," Redknapp said.

Boro manager Gareth Southgate's post-match assessment does not bode well for relegation rivals Reading and Birmingham.

"Inevitably, with the final coming up, players go into challenges worried about getting injured and it is bound to affect performances," Southgate said. "Once we were two ahead it was there for us to throw away but that's inevitable because they've nothing to play for and a huge game on the horizon."