Pompey are well placed heading into the final 11 matches of the Barclays Premier League campaign, currently sitting in seventh place.

It is very tight though, with just six points separating Everton in fourth and Manchester City back in eighth position.

Tottenham's Carling Cup triumph at Wembley to secure European qualification means sides must hope Chelsea and Manchester United - who host Pompey in round six - make it to Wembley in the FA Cup to see another spot freed up for the Premier League.

Redknapp accepts Everton and Liverpool are probably favourites to scrap it out for the remaining European slots - but believes Pompey, who travel to Goodison Park on Sunday, can give them a run for their money, which would cap a remarkable ending to the campaign.

"If I had said we were going to finish fifth in the Premier League a couple of years ago, you would all have thought I would end up in the nuthouse, wouldn't you? But there is a chance," Redknapp declared.

"It would be great if we can do it, but let's see how we go.

"At the moment, it looks as though there's only going to be one UEFA Cup spot in the league for the team who finish fifth, so it is going to be very tight.

"You would have to fancy Liverpool or Everton for the Champions League spot.

"But we have got a chance for the UEFA Cup spot and so have Villa, Blackburn, Man City and West Ham.

"There is a whole group of us in there scrapping - we have all done well and we are all in there in that top group."

Redknapp, whose side have won their last two league games, maintains it will be some achievement to have been in the hunt, never mind where they finally end up.

"Every year you finish in the top half of the Premier League table you are doing absolute miracles," Redknapp said on the club's official website, www.portsmouthfc.co.uk.

"Let's hope we can have two years running finishing in the top half. It would be a great achievement.

"We are a good team and I think people give us respect.

"We have got to be aiming to have a really good run between now and the end of the season - and if we qualify for Europe, then great."

Redknapp revealed striker David Nugent will finalise his loan move to Coca-Cola Championship promotion chasers Ipswich when the striker's groin injury has cleared up.

The £6million summer signing from Preston, who has one England cap, failed to make an impact at Fratton Park and is now set to kick-start his career at Portman Road when fully match fit again.

Meanwhile, Pompey midfielder Niko Kranjcar has backed his Croatian team-mate Eduardo to return "even stronger" from his horrific leg injury.

The Arsenal striker was today released from hospital following a broken leg and dislocated ankle suffered after a challenge from Birmingham's Mike Taylor.

Eduardo will now begin his long rehabilitation, which is hoped will see him back in action by the end of the year.

Kranjcar is set to feature for Croatia at the European Championships this summer, and offered encouragement for his "team-mate and friend".

"We grew up together in Zagreb and I wish him all the best and hope he recovers well," Kranjcar said.

"Eduardo said he is going to do everything he can to come back to football and I think that one of the most important things for him to have is belief - and his goal is to play football again.

"With his character, I think he will come back even stronger."