Stoke City: Lawrence hoping to take out World Cup frustrations on struggling Pompey

LIAM Lawrence says he is disgusted by FIFA's refusal to order a replay between Ireland and France, accusing the game's governing body of double standards.

But Lawrence insists he is in shape, mentally and physically, to take on Portsmouth tomorrow – just four days after his national side's controversial World Cup exit in Paris.

"If it was us who'd done it to France, it would be a different story and there would be a replay," Lawrence insisted.

"It's disgusting. It's a disgrace. It's cost us and the Irish nation from going to the World Cup. It's not just a friendly we're talking about, it's a monster of a game.

"Is it my worst moment in football? I don't know, but it's the most scandalous. I just don't know how they can get away with it.

"If we'd done it to France, there would be an outrage."

Lawrence confessed he had mixed feelings towards Thierry Henry, who has since said he backed calls for a replay after his blatant hand ball led to France's controversial equaliser on Wednesday.

"He's a legend," Lawrence continued, "and he's done what any player would do because you're taught to play to the whistle. But, at the end of the day, he's cheated.

"If he'd just walked back to the centre circle on his own after the goal, I would have respected that.

"But he celebrated by running round the pitch like he'd scored from 30 yards.

"He came up to us all after the game and apologised. He spoke to me, Richard Dunne and Robbie Keane. I just shook my head. I swapped shirts with Patrice Evra, and he said we deserved to win.

"When France come on the telly next summer I think I'll be switching off. I won't be able to bear it."

Lawrence now hopes for a recall against Portsmouth tomorrow, and insists: "I'm all right, just gutted about Wednesday's game. My main concern now is coming back here and playing.

"I've got sore blisters and I'm a bit stiff, but I'm available and dying to play."

Meanwhile, Stoke manager Tony Pulis has hinted that Dave Kitson's departure on loan to Middlesbrough this week was in the interests of the club as well as the player.

"I understand supporters have their opinion and I have to respect that," he said. "But I have to take everything into consideration as manager and sometimes you know more than people on the outside.

"The big thing for Dave is to go out, score goals on a regular basis and get his confidence back."

Huth hands it to Henry: Pages 54 & 55