Harry Redknapp has dangled an FA Cup carrot in front of his entire squad by telling his Portsmouth players they are all in the mix for a semi-final berth when the club face West Brom at Wembley in three weeks’ time.

The Pompey manager plans to give periphery players such as Pedro Mendes, Sean Davis and Richard Hughes – who have all found themselves marginalised of late – the chance to prove themselves in the run-up to the big date.

“There is bound to be competition for places at Wembley. It’s up to them to force their way back in,” said Redknapp.

“I’m planning to protect a few of my players. With the pitches getting heavier recently, now is the time when anyone could easily pick up an injury, so we’ve got to be a bit careful. There is no need to take too many chances over the next few weeks. However, that will provide the opportunity for anyone who comes into the team to stake his case.”

Redknapp insists the Cup run will not come at the expense of the club’s league aspirations though.

“The aim is still to finish as high as possible even though it looks as though we would have to finish fifth to secure a European place and that could now be beyond us,” he added.

One player who certainly will not be playing at the national stadium is Jermain Defoe, who is cup-tied for the competition having turned out for former club Tottenham already this season.

Despite the restriction on his Pompey career this season the 25-year-old is enjoying his time at the club immensely.

“I am really enjoying it here,” Defoe said in The Sun.

“I’m enjoying training a lot and credit to the boys for making me feel at home. I knew a few of them but the lads are great here and the spirit is really good. It is a nice club but the most important thing is playing week-in, week-out. This is a team who can go places and when I got the phone call and looked at the squad I thought Portsmouth was the place to go.”