Primus: Out injured
Portsmouth defender Linvoy Primus has confirmed he will be absent for the club's season opener against Derby this weekend.
Primus underwent knee surgery over the summer and is recovering well, but the clash with Billy Davies' side has come too soon.
The loss of the former Reading defender is likely to mean Sol Campbell pairing up with Sylvain Distain at the heart of Harry Redknapp's defence.
"I'm getting there. I'm not going to be ready for Saturday," Primus confirmed to Sky Sports News.
"I'm progressing. I'm a lot further on than I was last week, which is good."
Primus is looking forward to pre-season concluding and says a top-ten finish will be a good achievement for the South Coast side.
"Pre-season is never the best of times, it's a bit drawn out, but once the season starts we're ready to go," he continued.
"The main aim for the club is another top-ten finish. That will be recognised as a good season.
"You can't rest on what you've done last season. That's what the manager's done by signing the players he's signed."
Meanwhile, Primus fully believes Sol Campbell and David James will be ready to answer Steve McClaren's England call if needed.
With the likes of John Terry out of action for a month with a knee injury, it has been suggested Campbell could be back in the fold.
"Last season (Campbell) was as good as I've ever seen him. He's just as strong and just as fit.
"I'm sure if he is called up he'll be ready to get in there.
"In my eyes he was the best keeper in England last season.
"For him to be not recognised last season may have been a big blow for him.
"He works hard and trains hard and he's ready for the call-up if needed."

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| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Sunday 8th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Hull vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | West Ham vs Everton |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs Fulham |
| 16:00 | Chelsea vs Man Utd |
| Monday 9th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Liverpool vs Birmingham |
| Saturday 21st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Liverpool vs Man City |
| 15:00 | Birmingham vs Fulham |
| 15:00 | Burnley vs Aston Villa |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Wolverhampton |
| 15:00 | Hull vs West Ham |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Arsenal |
| 17:30 | Man Utd vs Everton |
| Sunday 22nd November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Bolton vs Blackburn |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Wigan |
| 16:00 | Stoke vs Portsmouth |
| Wednesday 25th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Hull vs Everton |
| 20:00 | Fulham vs Blackburn |
| Saturday 28th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Fulham vs Bolton |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Hull |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Saturday 7th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wolverhampton 1 - 4 Arsenal | |
| Man City 3 - 3 Burnley | |
| Tottenham 2 - 0 Sunderland | |
| Blackburn 3 - 1 Portsmouth | |
| Aston Villa 5 - 1 Bolton | |
| Wednesday 4th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Sunday 1st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Birmingham 0 - 0 Man City | |
| Saturday 31st October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Sunderland 2 - 2 West Ham | |
| Portsmouth 4 - 0 Wigan | |
| Bolton 0 - 4 Chelsea | |
| Stoke 2 - 2 Wolverhampton | |
| Fulham 3 - 1 Liverpool | |
| Burnley 2 - 0 Hull | |
| Everton 1 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Arsenal 3 - 0 Tottenham | |
| Sunday 25th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Ham 2 - 2 Arsenal | |
| Man City 2 - 2 Fulham | |
| Liverpool 2 - 0 Man Utd | |
| Bolton 3 - 2 Everton | |
Sunderland fan Lucinda Gittins was strutting her stuff in the Soccer AM studios this week.
Paul Merson fears for Phil Brown - and says Hull couldn't be facing a worse game than home to Stoke.
Liverpool should stand by beleaguered boss Rafa Benitez, says Reds legend John Adridge.
Arsenal maintained their recent fine form on Saturday as they eased to a 4-1 victory over Wolves.
Aston Villa and Tottenham made their Champions League aspirations clear as Arsenal also won but Man City were held by Burnley.
Kevin McDonald's late equaliser ensured Man City's winless run continued as Burnley claimed a 3-3 draw.
Chelsea go into the match with Man Utd at Stamford Bridge in arguably their best form of the season.
Super sub Jason Roberts came off the bench for Blackburn to score two and kill off Portsmouth 3-1.