Axed captain Dejan Stefanovic has been reassured by manager Harry Redknapp he still has a part to play at Portsmouth.The Serb defender has lost the captain's armband to Sol Campbell in a surprise Pompey reshuffle.

Campbell, who could now win a surprise England recall at 32 after doubts over international skipper John Terry's fitness and Liverpool star Jamie Carragher's commitment, led Portsmouth to victory over Leicester in a pre-season friendly recently and will now keep the job for the Premier League campaign ahead.

But Redknapp insists: "Although Sol is a natural leader with stature everyone's respects, Dejan has also been fantastic. But I think he knows I've bought Sylvain Distin in as well and it is whether he now gets in the team on a regular basis."

Stefanovic, captain for the past two seasons, has been struggling with a groin injury and missed the last four friendly games but Redknapp believes he could still re-establish himself.

The manager said: "He may well do. Don't get me wrong. I think he'll be pushing Hermann Hreidarsson and Djimi Traore for that left-back spot. So he may well be playing all the games. I just felt Sol's been there, done it."

More Football News from TEAMtalk