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Stuttering Sahar ready to kickstart his career

Israel striker Ben Sahar is looking to make a fresh start with a new Premiership club.

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Israel striker Ben Sahar has admitted for the first time that he is ready to make a fresh start with a new club in the Premier League after his loan period ends with Portsmouth in January.

Sahar, 19, has experienced a stop-start career since signing for Chelsea from Hapoel Tel Aviv in May, 2006. He made three appearances for Chelsea before being loaned out to QPR, Sheffield Wednesday and most recently Portsmouth, where he has yet to feature for the first team.

A regular in the Israeli national squad, Sahar is frustrated not to have been given a chance to prove himself in England.

Sahar said: "To be honest, it's been a disappointing time at Portsmouth for me. I am fit and feel ready to play but it's a difficult situation, I have been on the bench a few times and it's very hard because I just want to play."

Four months into his loan spell at Portsmouth, Sahar has failed to make a single appearance despite featuring four times on the bench and impressing for the reserves.

He said: "I need to find a coach who is willing to give me a chance and trust me. I showed I could play in Israel and all I am hoping for is that the same thing happens for me here.

"I haven't spoken with new manager Tony Adams, only with the coaches. They tell me it's difficult right now with Peter Crouch and Jermaine Defoe, obviously the first choice strikers. The main problem I have though is that if I played a few games and they said I wasn't good enough then fine. But the fact is I haven't even been given that chance to shine and show them I can play. This really frustrates me.

"I am sure that in January I will try and find a team that wants to play me. I've received a few offers but I can't say anything yet."

The teenager, who played at the Euro Under 21 Championship finals last year, has ruled out a move to a Championship club. "The Championship has given me valuable experience but the football is not of the best standard. I want to play for a team that plays good football and has coaches that can trust me. I enjoyed my spell at Wednesday, but I still want a little bit more than that."

The forward has scored three goals in 12 appearances for the national team and hopes to be included in Dror Kashtan's Israel squad which faces two tough encounters with Greece next spring. Israel lie second in the group behind Greece, but remain unbeaten after four matches.

"I really respect Mr Kashtan," said Sahar. "He's given me chances and I need to show him that I am good enough to be picked. I will fight for my place.

"Israel is in a good position but we have to win our games against Greece. The first match is at home and it is important we make win our home games."

As we went to press, Sahar was in negotiations for a new agent after ending his relationship with Pini Zahavi.

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