Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie has lifted the lid on Nicky Shorey’s collapsed loan move from Villa.

The left-back was hours away from going to Fratton Park on a season-long deal, only for the move to hit the buffers before yesterday’s 5pm transfer deadline.

Now the Pompey supremo has explained exactly why Shorey didn’t sign. According to Storrie, it’s because Villa’s £4.5million man didn’t want to fight for a place.

The chief executive said: “Nicky was nervous he would not be playing all the games. The problem is no-one can be guaranteed first-team football.

“I don’t think he realised we already have two left-sided players in Nadir Belhadj and Hermann Hreidarsson. That made him a little concerned.

“I think he believed he would just walk into the team and stay there for the season. It had to be pointed out that we do have competition for places at this club.”