PORTSMOUTH coach Joe Jordan has highlighted Sunday's trip to Crystal Palace as a game fraught with danger which could define the team's ambitions for the rest of the season.

A run of four unbeaten games in the Premiership came to an unfortunate end on Sunday when Sol Campbell's long-range strike earned Arsenal victory at Fratton Park.

Until that point, and thereafter, Portsmouth had matched the champions and threatened Manuel Almunia's goal regularly.

It was a performance which underlined Portsmouth's status as a team well capable of survival in the top-flight, as were the displays in the previous four games against Bolton, West Brom, Liverpool and Newcastle.

As such, and with ex-Saints striker Jordan confirmed as first team coach this week following the appointment of Velimir Zajec as manager, Portsmouth are eager to set another unbeaten run rolling.

They are currently nine points better off than third-bottom Palace, and Jordan likes it that way.

"There is a degree of a gap between us in the table and we want to maintain that," said the Scot.

"The first objective here is always to get as many points as you need to ensure you stay up in the Premiership and it's no different this season."

Once that target has been attained, Pompey can look towards finishing as high up as possible.

Croatian Zajec may be setting the orders on the south coast, but it is Jordan who ensures they are carried out.

Jordan insists relegation-haunted Palace, the struggling top-flight new boys, could be the "toughest opposition we've faced".

"They will certainly think they are capable of beating us on their patch," said Jordan. "They will see this as a chance to move a few points closer to us.

"They are at home and they are entitled to think that. They have played well enough to warrant it.

"But we just have to make sure that doesn't happen. We are coming to a very congested periodof fixtures now - four games up to January 8 in which we also play Chelsea at home next Tuesday.

"But arguably this one against Palace is our biggest game and I'm sure that's how Palace are looking at it as well.

"We'll both be looking to get points. It is the sort of game in which you know that if your form goes well for you will.

"We've played well against Newcastle, Liverpool and Arsenal in three consecutive games and had the chances to win all of them.

"As it is, we've come out with just two points, but when you think how daunting those fixtures can look in a run, even two points is not a bad return. But Palace is a vital game."

Aiyegbeni Yakubu and Diomansy Kamara should both be in the squad at Palace - Yakubu returned as a substitute against Arsenal - while Lomana LuaLua has been in full training for a week after missing eight games with a knee injury.

Ironically, LuaLua has had to pull out of the entire Christmas programme following minor surgery to cure an ear infection.

Defenders Dejan Stefanovic and David Unsworth are also still out with thigh problems, while midfielder Gary O'Neil faces a late test on a back injury.

Team (from): Ashdown, Griffin, Primus, de Zeeuw, Taylor, Stone, Faye, Berger, O'Neil, Cisse, Hughes, Mezague, Yakubu, Fuller, Kamara, Curtis, Quashie, Berkovic, Buxton, Hislop.