Source: Team_Talk
Pompey pull O'Brien from England squad
Portsmouth have blocked Liam O'Brien from joining up with the England Under-19s for the European Championship because he is needed for [LNB] The teenage shot-stopper was scheduled to fly out to France in July as part of the young England side going in search of European Championship glory.[LNB]However, had he been allowed to go, Pompey would then have been left with no senior keeper on their books for pre-season.[LNB]As a result, new boss Steve Cotterill has requested that O'Brien be omitted from the squad.[LNB]That will allow him to report for training on Thursday and figure in Portsmouth's first pre-season friendly against Havant & Waterlooville on Saturday 10th July.[LNB]"We have not got a goalkeeper so I'm afraid it's something we have to do," Cotterill told The News.[LNB]"As it stands, we are desperately short of keepers in the squad and we don't know the situation with David James (as his contract is set to expire).[LNB]"We could be given dispensation by the Football League to sign another one even though there is an embargo.[LNB]"But at the moment we need somebody in goal so Liam will not be going off with England next month.[LNB]"We are grateful to the FA for understanding our predicament."[LNB]One solution for Pompey could be to tie Jon Stewart down on a permanent contract.[LNB]He was on their books until the end of the 2008/09 season, before turning down a deal in order to fulfil his ambition of playing abroad.[LNB]Stewart did, however, return to Fratton Park towards the end of last season, as a triallist, and was offered a full-time contract prior to Cotterill being appointed as Avram Grant's successor.
