Ben-Haim future up in the air

02 February 2011 16:30
Portsmouth manager Steve Cotterill admits he is in the dark over the future of defender Tal Ben-Haim. The 28-year-old`s hefty wages meant he was offloaded to West Ham last summer on a six-month loan deal which expired at the start of January. But tough financial times mean Ben-Haim is likely to be unable to return to Pompey, while the Israeli is currently locked in a contract dispute with the Hammers. Asked what the situation is after Portsmouth`s 2-0 defeat to QPR on Tuesday night, Cotterill replied: "I don`t know the answer to that, that`s more of a political question for someone else. "He`s not training with us, that`s why we`re still on six-a-side. He could leave I suppose. I actually don`t know, honestly. "The only small bit I do know is that I think he`s in disagreement with West Ham about whether his contract was valid from January 1. "Jokingly, I`m saying this - I suppose he can`t come back because if he does he might end up coming back. As a player, we would welcome him back, whether we welcome the wage or not is a question for somebody else."

Source: PA