Glen Johnson, on loan at Fratton Park last season, is set to play right back for Portsmouth at Arsenal on Sunday after signing for Harry Redknapp’s team in a £4m move from Chelsea.
It will mean Lauren switching to the right of midfield against his former club in place of Gary O’Neil who is joining Middlesbrough in a £5 million move.
Redknapp did not appear at a routine press briefing and is thought to be planning a late swoop before the transfer deadline.
But he has Pedro Mendes and Nico Kranjcar fit again – although there is a slight doubt over skipper Sol Campbell, another ex-Arsenal star who dropped out of training today to work with the club’s physio.
Team from: James; Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Pamarot, Hreidarsson, Traore, Lauren, Muntari, Davis, Pedro Mendes, Benjani, Taylor, Kranjcar, Hughes, Kanu, Nugent, Ashdown.