SECOND-placed Leicester's loss at Burnley in their midweek game-in-hand left Pompey fans exuberant about their team's seven-point lead in Division 1.

But Pompey boss Harry Redknapp was not looking at the automatic promotion positions at all - his eyes were on the chasing pack in the play-off positions.

Redknapp said: "I am more concerned about the gap between us and the third place at the moment. And that 12 point-gap between us and Nottingham Forest - that's the most important one for me.

"To have that sort of advantage over the third spot is a great position to be in - but there is an awful long way to go.

"That lead can evaporate in three or four weeks. I have seen that sort of advantage blown away by some very good teams so many times over the years. It can happen, so it's important that we take all three points against Walsall tomorrow. Colin Lee has got them well-organised and it will be a tough game."

Redknapp again faced a defensive crisis ahead of tomorrow's game. With Arjan De Zeeuw suspended, Gianluca Festa and Eddie Howe still weeks away from recovery and Linvoy Primus out with a torn groin muscle, it left Hayden Foxe as the only recognised central defender available.

To counter this, 18-year Lewis Buxton has been recalled from his loan at Exeter and Jason Crowe is likely to be asked to play out of position.

After trying unsuccessfully all week to recruit another loanee in defence - Blackburn could not agree to release either John Curtis or Andy Todd - Redknapp was surprised to get a phone call yesterday from Manchester City's Paul Ritchie. His successful loan spell in defence at Pompey had been cut short by a stomach muscle injury, and he had been expected to be sidelined until the New Year.

Redknapp says: "Paul said that, after physiotherapy, he has been back in training at City and wanted to come back down here and be considered for Saturday. We will see how he is today and hopefully he will be OK."

Midfielder Nigel Quashie returns after suspension and Paul Merson is hoping to be fit after a badly bruised ankle had caused him to leave the action in the first half at Hillsborough last weekend. Steve Stone is back with Aston Villa, following his hamstring injury.

The Saddlers have been regularly finding the net, despite their lowly league position. Only six clubs in the division have scored more than their 31 goals, with the popular Brazilian striker Junior, on loan from Trezze, and the Portuguese striker Jorge Leitao each claiming six league goals.

There won't be too many Midlands accents around in a multi-national cosmopolitan Walsall squad, with three Spaniards, Two Portuguese, two Aussies, two Brazilians, one New Zealander, one Frenchman and a Jamaican - former Pompey man Fitzroy Simpson.

The Saddlers have already won at Brighton and Millwall on the road, and at Nottingham Forest in the Worthington Cup. But history is against them tomorrow with a Walsall team not having won at Fratton Park since March, 1980.

Manager Colin Lee is sceptical to suggestions that Pompey are facing a manpower shortage.

"There were similar stories suggesting they were going to be without a number of players last week. But I watched their game against Sheffield Wednesday and they still put out a very strong side," he said. "To be honest I am paying little attention to suggestions that they are struggling with injuries. I am just concentrating on our preparation for the game".