The England stopper on Wednesday had a scan on his injured calf which he claims was "clear", freeing him up for the Wembley showcase against Cardiff on May 17.

James, 37, has missed Pompey's last two league games after suffering the injury during his team's 3-1 defeat at Manchester City on April 20.

That raised fears that the veteran, who was shortlisted for this season's PFA player of the year awards, would miss out against the Welsh side.

But James told talkSPORT: "I had a scan today and it's clear so I would describe myself as fit. But we'll see what the gaffer says."

It seems unlikely that Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp would risk James in this Sunday's clash with Fulham which, although vital to the London club, means little to Pompey's Premier League campaign.

But James insists he is raring to play at Fratton Park after seeing his side slip to successive defeats in his absence.

"I want to play, of course, I wanted to play against Blackburn and Middlesbrough, and if it wasn't for the medical team I would have done, but that's what they're paid to do," the England international told Sky Sports News.

"It was deeply frustrating not playing but then at the same time I'm part of a team, and if it's deemed right that I don't play and the gaffer decides he doesn't want me to play - much as I'll dislike him for the whole match - then fine."

He added: "It's actually the first league matches I've missed for five years.

"Now I've been given the all clear I'll crack on and hopefully I can persuade the gaffer to play on Sunday, if not I'll focus on the cup final next Saturday."