Eugen Bopp was prevented from signing - and playing - for Portsmouth this week.

The Times says the Premier League's transfer embargo prevented manager Paul Hart from registering Bopp to play in the Carling Cup fourth-round tie against Stoke City at Fratton Park on Tuesday night, which Portsmouth won 4-0.

Bopp, a Ukraine-born German national, is a free agent, having been released by Crewe Alexandra at the end of last season. The midfield player has been training with Portsmouth since the summer.