Portsmouth unsure on future of players says boss Whittingham

Portsmouth caretaker manager Guy Whittingham says he is still unsure which players will remain at the club beyond the January transfer window.

Because the club are in administration, most of the 19-man squad are on short-term deals, and can leave at any time.

"I think that is an unfair question, I do not know," Whittingham told BBC Radio Solent when asked about his players' statuses.

"We need to know what's going on (off the pitch). There is a bigger picture."

Portsmouth are the subject of a takeover bid by the Pompey Supporters' Trust although it is conditional on the PST taking control of the club's Fratton Park stadium.

Fratton Park is controlled by former owner Balram Chainrai and administrators PKF are trying to force the sale of the stadium at the High Court.

The case will be heard on 15 January and Whittingham admits that until things are sorted off the pitch it will be difficult to say who will stay at the club.

"Some are going to go and some are going to stay," he said.

"We'll have a better idea at the end of the month when things will be clarified."

One player who has publically stated he wants to stay is midfielder Lee Williamson, who arrived at the club in August and who has gone on to make 23 appearances.

The former Sheffield United man is out of contract this month but says he is committed to the cause at the club.

"When I signed in the summer it was something I wanted to do and I want to be here for the long haul," Williamson told BBC Radio Solent.

"Things change, people come and go. I am not looking to go and I do want to stay."