Hart disappointed by embargo

Hart: Looking at the bright side

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Portsmouth manager Paul Hart has sounded his disappointment at the latest problem to hit Fratton Park.

The Premier League has barred Pompey from recruiting any new players until they settle outstanding debts to Arsenal and Chelsea over the signings of Lassana Diarra and Glen Johnson respectively.

For Portsmouth, the Premier League's action is the latest setback in a wretched season and prevented Hart from signing former Nottingham Forest midfielder Eugen Bopp, a free agent, earlier this week.

While Portsmouth have struggled on the field this season, previous owner Sulaiman Al Fahim sold his majority shareholding to Ali Al-Faraj to push the club further into the spotlight.

Hart has remained as manager but, despite expecting the embargo to be overturned, has admitted his frustration at the latest news to hit the South Coast, saying: "It is disappointing.

"These problems are here to be overcome, and I think we will overcome them. I found out on Tuesday morning - but I dealt with it. I'm led to believe this will be resolved."

Reassess situation

Director of communications Gary Double confirmed the situation should be resolved by the end of the week.

With the team bottom of the Premier League table on four points, there is no doubt Hart will want to enter the January transfer market to strengthen his resources.

But the former Forest boss said: "I think what we're waiting for now is all this to settle down and the investors to be settled in.

"Then we'll reassess our situation. That's what we're waiting for - and that's what needs to happen."

But Hart does believe he is well equipped to deal with the problems after managing Forest in difficult financial times.

He joked: "I think it's nice to wake up in the morning and see if there is something else happening. It sort of breaks the day up."