Milan stars don't blind Adams

FOR 20,000 Portsmouth fans, tonight's visit by European greats AC Milan will be one of the greatest nights in the club's history.

But taking on the mighty Italians at Fratton Park in the UEFA Cup has far from overwhelmed rookie Premier League manager Tony Adams, veteran of a string of glowing European memories as a player with Arsenal.

And he has ordered his team, severely weakened by injuries to Jermain Defoe, Lassana Diarra, Sol Campbell and Niko Kranjcar and yet to win for him at home, to remember their status in the domestic top flight is their most important asset.

Adams, just a month into his new job as successor to Harry Redknapp, said: "Don't get me wrong, this is probably the most prestigious match this club has ever played, but we have prepared for it in the same way as for every match.

"What we need to be focused on is staying in the Premier League."