Portsmouth goalkeeper David James could be doubtful for the FA Cup final after suffering a calf injury.

The veteran England star missed his first league game since joining Pompey at the start of last season, sitting out the 1-0 defeat at home to Blackburn Rovers on Sunday.

Manager Harry Redknapp revealed James sustained a torn calf muscle in last weekend's game against Manchester City but the injury was not discovered until Thursday.

"It is a good job he didn't train on Friday or a grade one tear might have become grade four," he said.

Redknapp said he was confident James would return in time for the Wembley showdown against Cardiff on May 17th, but admitted such injuries could be troublesome.

"Hopefully he's not a doubt for the FA Cup Final, although you never know with calf injuries. If he takes his time and gets the right treatment he should be all right," he said.

James's superb performance has been a driving force behind Portsmouth's march to the Cup final and fine League form, earning the 37-year-old a place on the six-man shortlist for the PFA Player of the Year award.

However, Redknapp said he was satisfied with the performance of his replacement Jamie Ashdown despite his failure to clear just prior to the deciding goal.

"I can't blame Jamie Ashdown for the Blackburn goal. He decided to punch the ball out and it came straight back in to Santa Cruz but before that he had just made a great save," said Redknapp.

"He's had a back injury for a while and we had to push him into training this week but he did well."

Alex Chick / Eurosport