Harry Redknapp was advised by most against signing the Nigerian, who went on to score 28 goals over six seasons, but was not a fan of Monday mornings

Monday mornings are always hard but no one hates them more than Nwankwo Kanu apparently.

Harry Redknapp has been reminiscing about signing the former Nigerian star at Portsmouth, where he spent six seasons and scored 20 goals, including the winner in the 2008 FA Cup final.

But the striker made a habit of skipping out on a Monday training session, as Redknapp told KingFut: “The most common thing I’d get from Kanu was a message every Monday morning that at some points it felt pre-recorded.

“‘Boss, the King cannot come into training. I have an upset stomach.'”

Redknapp was warned against signing Kanu, who was 30 years old when he joined Portsmouth, but immediately proved his worth during a 31-minute cameo on his debut as a substitute against Blackburn.

“I called him up and asked him what he was up to, I always wondered what he had done ever since he left West Brom,” Redknapp said.

“I asked him if he was fit to play and to this he replied saying: ‘Yes, I just had a run around the park two weeks ago,’ so I gave him the address and asked him to come down to training.

“I didn’t play him until the second half when we were 1-0 up. My assistants were against me playing him and were worried but I trusted the lad, he went on to score twice and missed a penalty for his hat-trick.”