Portsmouth boss Michael Appleton set for Fratton Park fire sale

Portsmouth manager Michael Appleton says he is prepared for a fire sale at Fratton Park this summer as the club looks to trim its wage bill.

Pompey, who are in administration, will play in League One next season after being relegated from the Championship.

"It could be as big as 17 or 18 players leaving the football club and the same coming in," Appleton told BBC Solent.

"I'd be surprised if there were one or two players from this squad still here next season."

Defenders Greg Halford and Jason Pearce were not involved in Saturday's defeat at Nottingham Forest, with Appleton stating there are agreements in place for them to move to other clubs, while Joel Ward is set to join Ipswich.

Kanu, Benjani Mwaruwari and Dave Kitson were also not involved at the City Ground.

"It is going to be a tough, tough summer," added Appleton. "Lots of hard work and not so much relaxation.

"In the case of Greg Halford and Jason Pearce there is an agreement in place with various clubs that they wouldn't play in the game. From our point of view it is important that the club can recoup some money for their services.

"As for Kanu, Benjani and Kitson - their future has to be elsewhere otherwise the football club will not survive. Hopefully we can come to some kind of agreement with them."

Portsmouth entered administration for the second time in three years in February, and were docked 10 points as a result.

Administrator Trevor Birch told BBC Sport last week the club only had enough money to last them until June.