New Portsmouth boss Avram Grant is keen to lure Steaua Bucharest goalkeeper Robinson Zapata to Fratton Park to provide competition and cover for current No.1 David James.

The 39-year-old shot-stopper is currently sidelined with a calf strain picked up prior to the Stoke City clash earlier this month and is also struggling with a persistent knee problem.

His continuing fitness problems are not only a concern for Grant as he seeks to haul Pompey out of the relegation mire, but also for England coach Fabio Capello, whose goalkeeping woes have been well documented.

Indeed, various reports in the press on Tuesday suggest that Grant, who took over the managerial hotseat with Pompey lasy week, is lining up a £500,000 bid to take Colombian custodian Zapata to the South Coast outfit.

Pompey are confident their transfer embargo will be lifted in time for the January sales and have earmarked the 31-year-old, who arrived in Europe after impressing at the 2007 Copa America.

He won several awards for an impressive debut season in Romania, but now has competition from emerging Romanian keeper Ciprian Tatarusanu and may relish a switch to the Premier League.