Paul Hart vents fury at Algerian FA

Paul Hart has angrily denounced the Algerian FA for their "disgraceful" behaviour regarding Nadir Belhadj and Hassan Yebda during the international break.

GettyImages

Paul Hart saw his side lose 1-0 to Stoke on Sunday

Both Portsmouth players played the full 90 minutes as Algeria defeated Egypt in Sudan on Wednesday to secure their place at next summer's World Cup finals.

But Yebda and Belhadj did not return to England until Saturday and were both suffering fitness problems, meaning they were unable to play in Sunday's defeat at the hands of Stoke City - a situation that has infuriated Hart.

"The lads only arrived back on Saturday which is absolutely unbelievable," Hart the Portsmouth News. "The Algerians kept them there. They had 48 hours without sleep, went with an injury, came back with an injury, I cannot understand that.

"They both played 90 minutes. In my book that's disgraceful. That's an international association taking liberties. I can't forgive them. But there doesn't seem to be anything I can do about that."

Meanwhile, Portsmouth have responded to an injury suffered by David James by recalling Asmir Begovic from a loan spell at Ipswich Town. James was forced out of the Stoke defeat with a calf problem, meaning Jamie Ashdown was handed the gloves at the Britannia Stadium.

Begovic made six appearances for the Championship side after being signed by Roy Keane on October 10 and is now in contention to start when Manchester United visit Fratton Park on Saturday.