Portsmouth hero Darren Anderton has urged his old club to make Alan Curbishey manager for next season.

Ex-West Ham and Charlton boss Curbishley has the necessary qualities of operating at a Premier League club within a limited budget, insists the former England midfielder.

Anderton, 37, told the Daily Star Sunday: "Paul Hart has come in and done a job.

"But Pompey fans will be demanding that the club get back on track and push for the right end of the table and even European football," added Anderton, who recently retired from the game after a stint at Bournemouth.

"They lost their way a bit when Harry Redknapp left and then Tony Adams didn't quite fit the bill. The summer would be the right time to put a manager in place and I think Alan Curbishley is a serious candidate.

"He knows the Premier League inside out and can wheel and deal too, which will be imperative as the money does seem to be running out at Pompey."