Chairman would love Di Canio

The 34-year-old star is unlikely to be offered a new contract at Upton Park when his present deal expires at the end of this season and Pompey boss Harry Redknapp is a big admirer of the player he bought for the Hammers while in charge there.

"I'd love to have Paolo di Canio here. He'd set the crowd alight," Mandaric told The News.

"He's a 15 or 16 goals a season man and he'd make lots of goals, too. You can stand and watch him do things in training that other people can't."