Harry Redknapp was served pie and mash as a prank on a previous occasion he returned to Upton Park, but the Portsmouth manager will have his former employers eating humble pie tonight. Redknapp was dismissed by West Ham United seven years ago, but his achievement in reaching the FA Cup Final next month has stirred some regret.

Alan Curbishley, who first met Redknapp more than 45 years ago, has said that many managers would consider it a missed opportunity to reach the Final this year, with the top four teams being knocked out before the semi-finals. “We would love to have been there, I am very jealous of Harry,” Curbishley said. “They must be on a fantastic high, but our aim will be to bring them back down to earth.”

Curbishley hopes to take advantage of the weekend results to close the five-point gap to Manchester City, in ninth place. On previous occasions, West Ham have let the opportunity go. “Let’s hope we can take it,” Curbishley said.

Portsmouth are on a high after defeating West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday. Kanu, who scored the goal, is likely to be on the bench, even though Jermain Defoe, the former West Ham forward, is still unavailable. Defoe, who was Cup-tied at the weekend, is expected to fly to the Caribbean to attend his grandmother's funeral. He has scored eight goals for Portsmouth, but it gives David Nugent another chance to score his first Barclays Premier League goal.

“We don’t want to fade away in the league,” Redknapp said. “I would love to finish above Everton in fifth, but they are seven points ahead, so it will be hard.”

John Utaka's hamstring injury is likely to keep him out again, while Hermann Hreidarsson, who played against West Brom with stitches in an Achilles wound, is likely to be rested in favour of Lauren or Lucien Aubey.

West Ham United (possible; 4-4-2): R Green - L Neill, A Ferdinand, M Upson, G McCartney – N Solano, S Parker, H Mullins, L Boa Morte – C Cole, D Ashton.

Injuries and suspensions: J Faubert (calf), D Gabbidon (groin), M Etherington (groin), L Bowyer (groin), C Bellamy (groin), C Davenport (neck), N Quashie (foot), J Collins (knee), K Dyer (leg), F Ljungberg (hamstring)

Portsmouth (possible, 4-4-2): D James - G Johnson, S Distin, S Campbell, Lauren - P Bouba Diop, L Diarra, S Muntari, N Kranjcar - M Baros, D Nugent.

Injuries and suspensions: L Primus (knee), N Pamarot (Achilles)

Referee: L Probert