TERRY VENABLES will visit Portsmouth's Fratton Park tomorrow before deciding whether to take up a partnership in the first division club.

The former England coach will watch the friendly against Bristol City to gauge the mood of the fans and the standard of the team. But Venables' business adviser Eddie Ashby said a deal was close.

Portsmouth's managing director, Martin Gregory, a son of Venables's long time friend Jim Gregory, said yesterday. "We are very close to agreement and I'm more confident than ever that Terry will be joining me. I've offered him an equal partnership with full responsibility for buying and selling players."