The Evening Gazette can today allay Colchester United fans' fears that on-loan front-man Rowan Vine will NOT be returning to Portsmouth, despite the Premiership club currently suffering a striker crisis.
I'm staying - Rowan Vine says he is staying at the U's despite the Portsmouth striker crisis
Pompey have only veteran Teddy Sheringham and Yakubu available for selection with Vincent Pericard, Svetoslav Todorov, Lee Bradbury and Deon Burton out with injuries, while Mark Burchill is on loan at Sheffield Wednesday.
Jason Roberts was recently recalled from a loan spell by West Bromwich Albion and has subsequently signed for Wigan.
On top of this, Yabuku is unavailable for a month after Saturday as he joins up with Nigeria for the African Nations' Cup.
This, coupled with reports that Vine trained with the South-coast side yesterday, led to rumours that the U's winger, who has bagged seven goals so far this season, had returned to ease Redknapp's worries.
However, speaking to the Evening Gazette today, Vine said: "I'm back in Portsmouth because of family illness.
"I'm suspended this weekend and the gaffer Phil Parkinson was kind enough to let me stay here a few days.
"I went training the other day just to keep fit, but I'm still a U's player."
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Published Friday January 16, 2004
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