Portsmouth's night at the races

Dubai: Former England international and popular Ports-mouth shot stopper David James is hoping his team can finishing strongly when the Barclays English Premier League resumes after a two-week break.

James and his teammates from Pompey have been based in Dubai for the past week, enjoying a working holiday while keeping themselves match-fit at the Jebel Ali International Centre of Excellence.

"It's great to be here, such a great atmosphere," James said at Nad Al Sheba racecourse on Thursday.

"We've been working out at Jebel Ali, which is a fantastic place, and also having some fun, playing golf, stuff like that."

Uefa Cup

Commenting on the more serious business Premier league football, the 6 foot 4 inch goalkeeper said: "The season's going pretty well and hopefully we can win a few games and finish strongly."

James was accompanied to the race by fellow Portsmouth stars Sol Campbell, Andy Cole, Richard Hughes, Matt Taylor and Djimi Traore.

Kanu, the team's leading striker with 12 goals, was not among them.

The Fratton Park club have nine games remaining in the Premiership this season with their next fixture being a game against Reading, who are playing in the top flight for the first time in the Berkshire club's history.

There are also games against top teams Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool to come.

Portsmouth, who have lost their last two Premiership games to Chelsea (2-0) and Blackburn (3-0), are battling for a place in next season's Uefa Cup.

They are just two points away from sixth spot, currently occupied by Everton, which will qualify them for the European clubs competition.

Prolific striker Cole and central defender Campbell were also confident that Pompey can end the season on a strong note.

Cole, one of the highest scorers in the game's history, said: "The first half of the season was great, but then things did not go so good.

"Hopefully we can go back and play some good football and see what happens."

Cole was also in awe of Dubai and the facilities available at the Jebel Ali International Centre of Excellence.