Muntari joined Portsmouth from Italian side Udinese

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp is convinced Sulley Muntari will be ready to hit the ground running when the English Premiership starts next month.

The Ghana World Cup star cost Redknapp a club-record US$14m last month when he launched a raid on Italian side Udinese.

While Muntari's qualities have been obvious for some time now, the former Manchester United trialist might be expected to take a little while to settle in to his new surroundings.

Yet Redknapp has seen enough of the 22-year-old in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Fulham to believe newly-promoted Derby will feel his full force at Pride Park on the opening day.

"I think we will see Sulley at his best on the opening day of the season," said Redknapp.

"He has got everything you need to play in the Premier League.

"He is strong and aggressive and he did something against Fulham you very rarely see anyone do these days in that he lost the ball, then chased back 25 yards to get a block on the full-back.

"Most players in that situation would start feeling sorry for themselves. Not Sulley.