Portsmouth's new midfield powerhouse Papa Bouba Diop is relishing a quick return to former club Fulham on Sunday and insists he has no fear of the hostile reception which players traditionally receive from fans of their old clubs.

There may be no place quite like home for Portsmouth, who have again turned Fratton Park into a fortress this season with three wins in five games and draws against Manchester United and Liverpool, but Craven Cottage has become a home from home for their fans who will pack the Putney End in familiar style this weekend.

They have already snapped up nearly 3,000 tickets - with Fulham responding by releasing an extra 1,000 to them and reminding visitors they can also pay on the day.

And Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp, who will have Diop and Sean Davis, another former Fulham star in his midfield, declared: "Fulham is always a great place to go for us.

"That away end will be filled up with our supporters and, with the noise they make, it will be almost like a home game for us.

"We had a terrific 3-1 win there the year we made our big escape from relegation and it was only a last-minute equaliser which stopped us winning again there last season."

Senegal giant Diop, who joined Pompey in a £3million move from Fulham on the last day of the August transfer window, told the club's official website www.portsmouthfc.co.uk: "We go to Fulham confident after the win against against Reading last week.

"And I'm happy to go back to Fulham because I made a lot of friends while I was there. Changing your club is just a part of football and today I'm very much a Portsmouth player."

The 6ft 5in ball-winner whom Fulham fans nicknamed 'The Wardrobe' during his three seasons at the Cottage, said: "I came here for a new challenge and I'm very pleased with the start I've made.

"I'm enjoying myself doing the job I'm paid to do - with a lot of very good players around me."

Diop, who made his Pompey debut in a goalless draw with Liverpool, has had a four-match unbeaten run with Pompey - three of them wins, including his appearance as a substitute in the 1-0 Carling Cup success at Burnley and a dynamic performance in the 7-4 romp against Reading.

But he warned: "It will be a very different game at Fulham than the one against Reading. I don't think we will go forward as much and it will be a big test for us because Fulham had a hard game at Chelsea last week and took a good point.

"Maybe a draw would be a good result for us but I think it will be a good game."

Boss Redknapp, whose team could face former Pompey players Diomansy Kamara, Alexei Smertin and Dejan Stefanovic, has just one major selection dilemma.

His main striker Kanu missed the Reading goal-feast with a knee injury but the Nigerian's replacement Benjani Mwaruwari hit a hat-trick.

Redknapp said: "Kanu's knee is still a bit sore. He has been having treatment and we'll see how he is on the day. Benjani's hamstring is a bit tight and causing him discomfort but if they are both fit it is a nice problem to have."