Nigeria forward John Utaka has given Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp some cheering news after recovering from a hamstring tear and is expected to return to full training by the end of the week.

Pompey's UEFA Cup qualifying second leg tie against Portuguese side, Vitoria Guimaraes and was also absent as Nigeria romped past Sierra Leone 4-1 in a 2010 World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations qualifier last weekend.

According to reports on the Pompey site, the winger was back working outside at the tail-end of last week and could return to full training before this week is out.

It gives the Nigerian an outside chance of making the bench for the clash with fellow high-fliers Villa.