Should David James be selected for Portsmouth when they take on Manchester City this Saturday at Fratton Park, as seems likely, then he will be playing his 536th Premier League game.

That will mean that he will break the record for Premier League appearances currently held by former Leeds United, Everton, Newcastle United and Bolton Wanderers midfielder Gary Speed (now with Sheffield United), and the England goalkeeper is enjoying a glow of satisfaction from the achievement, whilst acknowledging that Pompey desperately need a result at the weekend.

"I am buzzing, it means lot to me personally - but we desperately need a result," James told The Portsmouth News.

It has been a turbulent week for the Fratton Park outfit, with the high-profile sacking of manager Tony Adams on Monday. Reports have linked former England and Manchester City manager Sven Goran Eriksson with the vacant position, and James spoke out yesterday in support of the Swede's potential appointment.

However, he also asserted today that his focus remains on matters on the pitch at Portsmouth, and that being away on international duty this week had had the effect of cocooning him from the trauma at his club, which will allow him to get on with his job of helping Portsmouth stay in the division.

"It's not really impacted on me massively as I've been away with England," he added.

"I was rung and told on Sunday, but my focus has been on England duty."

Portsmouth take on Manchester City at Fratton Park in the Premier League on Saturday at 15:00 GMT.