Kanu set to stay

Star striker Kanu is ready to stay at Portsmouth and believes he has earned a new two-year contract.

The mercurial Nigerian, who hopes to round off the season with his first goal in 10 games and a win at Fratton Park against his former club Arsenal, wants to spearhead a Pompey UEFA Cup bid next season and then turn out again for at least one more campaign.

"I think the progress is on. My agent is negotiating with them and it just needs a little more time," said Kanu. "I want to stay. I have always wanted to stay but the travelling is a problem and I think that will be sorted in the new contract."

It has been a prospect in major doubt for much of the season as the African ace has complained about the long journey he has to make every day to training from his London home, and the limited time it allows him with his family.

Boss Harry Redknapp was reluctant to sanction more than a one-year deal for a player over 30 even though he is a great admirer of Kanu's exciting ability.

But now Kanu is confident he has convinced Pompey to give him a more secure arrangement.

Redknapp snapped up Kanu on a free transfer from West Brom last summer and although he has not scored since February 10 against Manchester City, his 12 goals in the early part of the season laid the foundation for a tilt at Europe.

The former Ajax and Inter Milan star said: "It would be good to score again against Arsenal although I have done that before when I played them at West Brom and we won 2-1.

"When I joined Portsmouth this season I was surprised people thought I didn't have other clubs to choose from because I had a lot of interest from abroad.

"But when Harry rang me and then I spoke about it to my agent we discovered it was the right solution."