Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp believes Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash with Reading at Fratton Park will provide a crucial benchmark for his side's start to the new campaign.

Redknapp is delighted with Pompey's current form, with Tuesday night's 1-0 Carling Cup win at Burnley following hot on the heels of their superb victory at Blackburn 48 hours earlier.

And having already played each of the big four in a difficult early fixture list, Redknapp believes three points against Steve Coppell's men will complete an encouraging start.

Redknapp said: "If we get a good result on Saturday it will have been a fantastic start to the new season. We've played all the top four sides plus Blackburn away, so it couldn't really have been much tougher.

"But we're not going to win the Championship so the Carling Cup is important to us, because it is one of the two competitions we have a realistic chance of winning. I was delighted with the lads."