TARIBO WEST could be a Portsmouth player in time to make his debut in next weekend's match against Walsall at Fratton Park.

The 28-year-old Nigerian international central defender has been back in training with Pompey this week and may be offered a short-term contract to get them out of trouble.

With injuries still playing havoc with manager Harry Redknapp's plans and October player of the month Arjan De Zeeuw set to miss the Walsall game because of suspension, an opening exists for the man who last played in this summer's World Cup.

A former Derby County player under Redknapp's assistant Jim Smith, West has been without a club since leaving the German side Kaiserslautern last April.

If he can prove his fitness then Redknapp will draft him in to his ever growing squad.

But the loss of De Zeeuw will be a serious blow.

The 32-year-old Dutchman has been in commanding form all season since his free transfer from Wigan during the summer.

The deal has proved to be a real bargain with De Zeeuw equally accomplished in the air and on the floor - with a variety of partners alongside him.

The Pompey boss also ran the rule over Spurs midfielder Tim Sherwood this week. He's been tracking the former England man for a couple of months, and this was his first game after a long injury lay-off.

With his team holding a seven-point lead at the top of Nationwide Division 1, Redknapp wants to leave nothing to chance.

"We're never going to have a better chance of promotion than this," he told me.

"We must keep improving the squad to ensure we don't get caught out by injuries and suspensions."

Pompey play at lowly Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow (Saturday).

Anxious Strachan hopes his star men escape injury GORDON Strachan's thoughts were of foreign fields this week, with eight of his players on international duty on Wednesday night.

Ahead of such a tough looking game against Arsenal at St Mary's on Saturday, the Saints manager was keeping his fingers crossed that none of them would suffer serious injury.

Goalkeeper Paul Jones was in form for Wales in Azerbaijan for their fine 2 - nil win in the vital Euro 2004 qualifier.

He's known to be unhappy at being kept on the Saints' substitute's bench. But Strachan still regards him as a vital member of his squad.

In the same competition, Marian Pahars and Imants Bleidilis were with Latvia for their 1 - nil away win against no-hopers San Marino.

Both Anders and Michael Svensson were on duty for Sweden in their draw against the Czech Republic, while Claus Lundekvam lined up for Norway in their win in Austria. All three Scandinavians are key members of Strachan's first choice team, but their games were 'friendlies' - if such a game still exists at international level.

Rory Delap was in the Ireland squad for their friendly in Greece and Kleber Chala got a rare taste of senior action with Ecuador in their match against Costa Rica.

But Agustin Delgado stayed at St Mary's to continue his progress towards full fitness.

Said Strachan: "I'm proud of the boys, but it's a worrying time when so many of your players are away like this.

"We won't see most of them until Friday, so it'll be a roll call to see who's fit for the Arsenal game.

"I know that whatever team I put out will give them a hard game. The spirit in the squad is great and with a bit more luck we could have taken a point at Newcastle last weekend.

"Now we want to get back on the winning track again."