Aston Villa: Portsmouth reveal why Nicky Shorey deal collapsed

Sep 3 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

PORTSMOUTH have accused Nicky Shorey of demanding to walk straight into their team after lifting the lid on the collapse of his proposed loan move to Fratton Park.

The Villa left-back pulled out of the season-long deal at the last minute despite travelling down to Fratton Park to speak to manager Paul Hart on Tuesday afternoon.

Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie alleges that Shorey wanted first-team guarantees and was unwilling to compete with Nadir Belhadj and Hermann Hreidarsson for his place.

“Nicky was nervous he would not be playing all the games,” said Storrie.

“The problem is no-one can be guaranteed first-team football, we can’t go around doing that.

“I don’t think he realised we already have two left-sided players in Nadir and Hermann and that made him a little concerned.