PORTSMOUTH: Portsmouth manager Paul Hart is hopeful of signing Australia striker Mark Viduka on a free transfer before the start of the Premier League season.

Viduka, who left Newcastle in June, is Portsmouth's top target to replace Peter Crouch after the England forward joined Tottenham last week.

Former Leeds and Middlesbrough star Viduka is currently on holiday and there have been reports suggesting he is holding out for a two-year contract, rather than the 12-month deal offered by Pompey.

But Hart feels an agreement has been reached with the 33-year-old as he aims to add to his squad before the opening game of the season against Fulham next weekend.

"We'll be trying hard with getting players in over the next few days," Hart told The News.

"Expecting is a word I don't use any more, though! We are trying and hopefully there will be something we can do before next weekend.

"Mark has not come back from holiday. I'm not sure how much work he has done, but we can't wait until November to get him fit.

"We made him a good offer which has been accepted, so I'm just waiting to see what happens with him."