The Liberian Ministry of Sport say that it will not be inviting the country's overseas players for the rest of the Lone Star's 2006 World Cup qualifiers.

Minister Wheatonia Barnes said: "The decision is due to the current financial difficulty facing the Sports Ministry".

"The sports budget of US $170,000 approved by the government is already exhausted."

"And it would be a financial waste to incur huge expenses when it is almost certain that the Lone Star would not make it to both the 2006 World cup and the African Nations cup" Barnes said.

She said the Liberian government spends at least US $50,000 each time it invites the overseas players.

"We will now prioritize our local players for the remaining matches and it is but prudent that they are utilized to get international exposure to develop their talents," the Minister told BBC Sport.

This decision is most likely to cause controversy with football fans always keen to see their overseas stars play for the Lone Star especially at home.

The ministry added that it also intends to appoint some of its own staff members as coaches to the Lone Star as part of its cost cutting measures.

The contracts of the current Liberia technical staff are due to expire at the end of the year.

The Sports Ministry seems reluctant to spend money on the national team following Liberia's dismal performances in the 2006 World Cup qualifiers so far.

Liberia have managed just four points so far and lie second bottom of Group One just ahead of Mali.