Olisadebe lines up for Portsmouth trial
PORTSMOUTH, England (AFP) – Poland striker Emmanuel Olisadebe will have a trial with Premiership strugglers Portsmouth starting today. Portsmouth remain in the relegation zone – despite beating West Brom 1-0 last weekend – and were left a striker short after Vincent Pericard went off with a thigh injury just six minutes into last Saturday’s match. Nigerian-born Olisadebe, who turns 27 tomorrow, is currently at Panathinaikos having spent five years in Greece since moving from Polonia Warsaw. Manchester City’s former England forward Robbie Fowler has been linked with a move to Fratton Park but manager Harry Redknapp is not averse to looking overseas when it comes to signing players. Despite reports from Greece that a deal had already been completed, Portsmouth said yesterday any move would depend on the outcome of the trial. Olisadebe almost joined Portsmouth’s Premiership rivals Birmingham in 2002 before failing a medical. The striker has struggled with various injuries in Greece. But even if Portsmouth push the deal through quickly, Olisadebe or any other new signing would not be eligible for a debut until after the January transfer window opens.
