Cup can save season, says Distin

Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin feels Saturday's FA Cup final will make or break a topsy-turvy season.

Pompey take on Cardiff City at Wembley having finished eighth in the Premier League, the highest in their history.

However, their 1-0 last-day defeat at home to Fulham on Sunday was their fourth consecutive defeat.

And Distin told BBC Radio Solent : "If we lose the final it will have been a bad season. It will be our last opportunity to save our season."

Pompey's poor recent form took the shine off what has been a productive campaign in the league, coupled with their first appearance in an FA Cup final since 1939.

Distin added: "Everybody says we've had a great season.

"We beat records for clean sheets and number of points but I am very disappointed as we could have could have finished fifth.

"We dropped points and were still not far away from doing it."

Meanwhile, Pompey boss Harry Redknapp will assess the fitness of goalkeeper David James, who has a calf injury, over the next few days ahead of the Cup final.

Defender Sol Campbell also missed Sunday's game but, like James, he is expected to be fit to face Cardiff.

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