my liverpool fc

PORTSMOUTH’S Sol Campbell has backed Jamie Carragher’s decision to call time on his England career “except in the case of an absolute emergency”.

Campbell, who was dropped from the national squad when Steve McClaren took over from Sven-Goran Eriksson last summer, said: “You can’t blame him because I totally understand the situation he is in.

“He wants to play – but he wants to play in his position.

“There is nothing wrong with that. He doesn’t want to become a makeshift selection, playing on the right or on the left. That is just filling a gap, not what he does week in, week out for Liverpool.

“He wants the recognition for his ability in that position because that is where you are going to see him at his best.

“For me, Carragher is a fantastic defender. He has shown it over the years and is one of the best in England.”

Meanwhile, Portsmouth were today expected to confirm the signature of £6million striker David Nugent.

The 22-year-old, who won his first England cap as a goalscoring substitute in the European Championship qualifier against Andorra, looks set to sign a four-year contract and become manager Harry Redknapp’s sixth signing of the summer.

Redknapp said: “I think he deserves his chance at the top level and I’m delighted to have him.

“It shows you how far we have come. We have bought some real good players in and I think David will have a good season for us.

“There are not that many people scoring lots of goals so if he gets into double figures we will be delighted.”

Nugent’s capture is not likely to be the last at Fratton Park, while Redknapp also hopes to secure a new contract for Kanu.

“We are talking to Kanu. I am hoping we can sort a deal out and keep him for next year,” Redknapp said.

“We are still short up front. We are looking to bring in a couple of strikers.”