Appleton: New deals have to wait

Portsmouth manager, Michael Appleton, says that players who are out of contract in the summer will have to wait and see if they are offered new deals.

With Ricardo Rocha, Jamie Ashdown and Benjani's deals expiring in the summer their patience is necessary with Pompey's financial plight.

The South Coast side are in administration and the Championship drop zone, so the club are unable to offer new deals at present.

Appleton has discussed the matter with the players, as he tries to work out who is going to remain at Fratton Park next season.

Speaking in The News, Appleton said: 'I have had a brief conversation with them - saying they are going to have to bear with me and be patient.

'For one, we don't know what division we are going to be in. And two, we haven't got an owner so I can't turn around and offer them contracts just yet. There are too many scenarios at the minute.

'I just have to get into the middle of it and work outwards. Then I need to get the call right about who I definitely know is going to be here next year.

'If there are players who do get released or do move on to other clubs then at least we know what our core is.

'We know what the outer plan is in terms of players coming in and to see if we can do something in between.'

@georgepowell8