David James, the Portsmouth goalkeeper, has overcome a calf injury to declare himself fit for the FA Cup Final.

The England international was given the all-clear following a scan on the injury this morning, freeing him up for the match against Cardiff City on May 17. James, 37, has missed Portsmouth's past two league matches after suffering the injury during his team's 3-1 defeat at Manchester City on April 20. That raised fears that the veteran, who was shortlisted for this season's PFA player of the year awards, would miss out against the Welsh side.

"I had a scan today and it's clear so I would describe myself as fit. But we'll see what the gaffer says," he said.

It seems unlikely that Harry Redknapp, the club's manager, would risk James in Sunday's clash with Fulham which, although vital to the London club, means little for Portsmouth's Premier League campaign. But James insists he is raring to play at Fratton Park after seeing his side slip to successive defeats in his absence.

"I want to play, of course, I wanted to play against Blackburn and Middlesbrough, and if it wasn't for the medical team I would have done, but that's what they're paid to do," the England international said. "It was deeply frustrating not playing but then at the same time I'm part of a team, and if it's deemed right that I don't play and the gaffer decides he doesn't want me to play - much as I'll dislike him for the whole match - then fine."

He added: "It's actually the first league matches I've missed for five years. Now I've been given the all-clear I'll crack on and hopefully I can persuade the gaffer to play on Sunday, if not I'll focus on the cup final next Saturday."