Portsmouth manager Tony Adams knows all about second chances having been given at least one during his career. Now it appears that he is ready to offer Newcastle’s problem child Joey Barton a way out of Tyneside.

 

Adams is looking for a replacement for Lassana Diarra who lasted less than a year at Fratton Park before departing last week for the somewhat more glamorous surroundings of Real Madrid. The former Arsenal and England centre half is looking for up to five new faces during the transfer window. “Joey is a great man, but he plays for Newcastle” said Adams. “I give people second chances”. The man who replaced Harry Redknapp may need to get his calculator out to check his maths.

Another target is ex-Pompey midfielder Gary O’Neil who left to join Middlesbrough last year. The Boro have already rejected one offer and have been extremely vocal in assuring everyone that no player will be leaving the Riverside. However, retaining the services of a local boy (Stewart Downing) is one thing - holding on to a player whose roots are in the south may be an altogether different proposition especially if Portsmouth decide to make an improved bid to bring O’Neil back to the south coast.