“All I’ve said to Rafa in the last couple of seasons is ‘good morning’ and things like that, but you can’t knock him. It’s his team and he’s won plenty of trophies, including the Champions League.

“But it does look as if, apart from the obvious ones, you stand a better chance of being in the team there if you are a foreigner.”

Adams was firmly established as Arsenal and England captain when Pennant arrived at Highbury from Notts County.

“He’s always been a quality talent,” the Pompey boss said.

“Signing a player like Jermaine wasn’t a major priority but he’s a major addition to the squad.

“I’ve no fears about him not having played for a while because he’s bright and quick and naturally fit.”

Adams is glad to have Pennant available, particularly after a scan revealed that Croatia midfielder Niko Kranjcar has torn a groin muscle and is likely to be out long-term.

Kranjcar, who has already admitted he expects to be sold by Pompey in the summer, missed the beginning of the current campaign following an ankle operation and has made only 10 starts since returning in November.

“It looks a bad one and we’ll miss him for what I believe will be quite a while,” said Adams.

Regarding tomorrow’s FA Cup fourth-round tie against Coca-Cola Championship Swansea at Fratton Park, Adams added: “They are playing probably some of their best football in the division at the moment. They destroyed Reading last week with their passing in a 4-3-3 set up.

“I don’t think I can give them bigger praise than that and although we’ll start favourites as the holders we’ve got to stay as resilient as we have been in the last few games to avoid being punished.”

Adams has dismissed fears that his England goalkeeper David James is only playing on thanks to a painkilling injection in his knee.

Adams told the Portsmouth News: “He will be absolutely fine and I can’t imagine he won’t play tomorrow.

“He doesn’t need an operation and probably doesn’t need another injection either.”