Pompey boss Alan Ball this morning snapped up Manchester City's Michael Brown on a month's loan - and the midfielder could be plunged straight into the side for tomorrow's Fratton Park clash with Crewe.

Ball moved quickly to sign the 22-year-old who arrives on loan with a view to a permanent £500,000 move if he impresses.

Ball is fully aware of Brown's capabilities, the former England Under-21 international having made the bulk of his 95 first-team appearances during Ball's reign as Maine Road manager.

Brown can operate either through the middle or down the right flank and while he is low down in the Manchester City pecking order - having made just one Worthington Cup first-team appearance this season - Ball is already sizing up his options with several of his squad out of contract at the end of the season.

Though Brown is not a certain starter against Division 2's bottom club, Bruno is.

Darren Moore's imposing physique has inevitably earned him the nickname Bruno from his teammates and he will be the rock around which Ball will build his defence against struggling Crewe.

Ironically, Moore was brought in mainly to add his aerial power to Pompey's rearguard but is likey to find himself chasing small fry like Rodney Jack and Colin Rivers around.

Not that it bothers Moore, who is just glad to be involved in first-team football following his £650,000 move from Bradford City.

After snubbing Bradford's contract offer, Moore was given a distinctly cold shoulder: "I trained with the first team but I was told I wouldn't be considered. It meant I was training all week but there was nothing at the end of it. I've thoroughly enjoyed this week, it's been great just to be back involved again.

"I'm fit and strong and all that I'm missing is a bit of match sharpness that you can only get by playing first-team football."

Ball will have little hesitation in calling Moore up for his debut after being impressed by the big defender this week.

Alan McLoughlin returns to contention after missing the defeats at Fulham and West Bromwich Albion through international commitments, while Ball will run a late test on Thomas Thogersen's hamstring.

That test could determine whether Andy Awford gets the chance to continue in his midfield holding role and with it his 350th appearance for Pompey.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.