Portsmouth assistant boss Tony Adams has heaped praise on their star man Benjani Mwaruwari.

Adams told The News: "There were times last season when Benji was getting problems with hamstrings and physically you could see his body was taut. His Pompey career has been fits and starts, fits and starts, but I just think physically now he's at the races.

"He's hard as nails but he's a nice, hard-working lad and I think that's why the fans rate him because they can see he's working his socks off every game. Sometimes that has been to his detriment.

"There have been times when he's had an injury and still gone out there and played and done his best. Physically he was still carrying bits and pieces. To actually have him pain free is tremendous.

"He's running and working hard, he looks sharp and strong, and I think now he can do himself justice. Benji needs all his power and strength to be effective and because he's got that he grinds people down and keeps going, grind, grind, grind.

"He feels sharper and has confidence.

"He's been having a lot of manipulation and acupuncture and physically he feels great. He deserves this success as well because he does work his socks off."