A hip problem, which required surgery in the United States, has prevented the 33-year-old from playing in 2008, although the striker is now tantalisingly close to a return to action.

Jones has already ruled out the possibility of the 2001 winner being named in Saturday's starting XI, however he confirmed the former Liverpool forward is still in with a chance of being among the substitutes.

"Robbie will be in the squad, definitely," Jones said. "Whether we feel he will be up to playing is another thing.

"He's still got three or four days yet to prove that."

Asked if Fowler had a deadline to make the cut, he replied: "Thursday. He is not going to start but he is fighting for a bench place along with six or seven others.

"I'll please 11 people once I give my team out and I might make five reasonably happy when they sit on the bench.

"But for the four who won't be (involved) it's going to be hard for them."

Jones expects Fowler, who has scored six times in 16 appearances since arriving on a free transfer last summer, to be "honest and truthful" in his fitness assessment - for the sake of the team and, most importantly, himself.

"We have to make sure that everything about him is right. The only person that will give me that knowledge is Robbie himself," he said.

"Robbie has been around football long enough to be honest and truthful and say 'look, yes I am fine' and at the moment that's what he's saying and in training he looks fine.

"But he has to be honest with me and say 'look, there's no niggles, there's nothing' because I don't want to lose him for another three or four months just for the sake of one game - I know it's the biggest game, but for one game.

"It's important that he is right for that game as much as he will be for the rest of his playing career."

Pompey have hardly set the world alight since beating West Brom in the semi-finals, winning only once in six attempts.

But Jones, who was on a scouting mission at Fratton Park yesterday, insists recent form will count for nothing come Saturday.

"I don't think the league form has any sort of bearing on the FA Cup final. Their players will be up for it as much as mine are," he added.

"They are the Premier League side, they are expected to win. Maybe that will put a little bit more pressure on them than there is for us.

"We will put pressure on ourselves because we believe we have a chance and as long as we continue to do that we will go there full of confidence and give it a good go.

"Otherwise, what's the point in turning up?"

City's defence were given an early chance to get to grips with a Premier League striker after West Ham's Craig Bellamy began training with the Bluebirds squad to build up his fitness.

"(West Ham manager) Alan Curbishley is a friend of mine and he gave me a call," Jones explained.

"Their season is done and dusted. Craig still needs to play football because he is trying to get fit for the (Wales) national team so Alan asked me if he could come in.

"Craig only lives up the road from me so it is an ideal opportunity to come in and train with us.

"He's a good lad, he's a quality player and he will add to our training."