Portsmouth chief Peter Storrie admits they couldn't consider signing Aston Villa fullback Nicky Shorey after he demanded playing guarantees.

Storrie told The News: "Nicky was nervous he would not be playing all the games. 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. I think he believed he would just walk into the team and stay there for the season.

"It had to be pointed out that we do have competition for places at this club. I understand the boy's situation. He was not getting in the team at Villa and wanted to play regularly.

"He came down and had a good chat with Paul and quite rightly we could not guarantee he would come down here and play week in, week out. There was the situation that even if he played against Bolton in our next match, he wouldn't be allowed to appear against Villa in the one after that.

"Nicky didn't want that and in the end it was agreed not to go ahead with the loan after all. There are no hard feelings, that's just how it was and I wish the lad good luck."