Harry Redknapp returns to former club West Ham on Tuesday night urging his FA Cup finalists not to take their eyes off the prize of a UEFA Cup spot.

Pompey booked their place in next month's cup final with a 1-0 win over Coca-Cola Championship West Brom on Saturday but stand sixth in the Barclays Premier League - seven points adrift of Everton.

Despite reaching the Wembley showpiece, the south coast side are not guaranteed a place in Europe, with UEFA considering the option of allowing Cardiff, should they win, special clearance to represent England.

Redknapp travels to Upton Park where he spent seven years as a player and nine as coach and manager, willing his cup heroes to continue their fine form in the league.

He said: "The final is five weeks to go and we have got a game against West Ham so it is back to business with the league.

"It is all about the Premier League from now and we will think about the final when it comes around. West Ham are a good side and we will need to put in a performance.

"I always enjoy going back there, I have so many memories of the place. I love the club and the fans are fantastic.

"I grew up there as a 15-year-old and we were all kids together as local boys, Bobby Moore, Trevor Brooking, Martin Peters, Billy Bonds, Frank Lampard - it is a special club.

"I would love to finish above Everton but they are seven points ahead of us with a better goal difference so it is going to be hard.

"But we do not want to fade away in the league. We want to finish as high as we can and we have had a couple of good wins at West Ham in the last couple of seasons."

Redknapp is unable to call upon top-scorer Jermain Defoe, who was expected to return to the starting XI after being cup-tied for the Wembley win but the former Hammers striker has flown to St Lucia to attend his grandmother's funeral.

David Nugent is ready to earn only his fifth league start of the season by replacing Defoe after struggling to make his mark following his £5.7million summer move from Preston.

Redknapp also has concerns over the fitness of midfielder Lassana Diarra and striker Milan Baros, while winger John Utaka remains on the treatment table with a hamstring problem.

Redknapp added: "I am missing Jermain. His grandmother died in St Lucia and he has gone with his mum to be at the funeral. He was very close to his nan and wanted to be there.

"I will have to think about playing Kanu against West Ham on the back of Wembley. David Nugent needs to get a game under his belt and he is available.

"Diarra's got a dead leg and Baros got a kick on the ankle but other than that we are pretty much okay from Saturday.

"John has got a slight hamstring tear so I would rather wait until he is all right rather than risk it and end his season. I think he will be fit in a couple of weeks."

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