The administrators' spokesman, Andrew Andronikou, revealed the news but insisted the club will be able to stave off questions from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs over the validity of the administration process and that he is receiving "enquiries on a daily basis" regarding a takeover.

He also revealed chief executive Peter Storrie has taken a 40% wage cut, but admitted his hands were tied in relation to the club's playing wage bill.

Meanwhile, Portsmouth boss Avram Grant has called on the Premier League to make a quick decision on his side's possible nine-point deduction.

The South Coast strugglers suffered another blow in their uphill struggle for survival as they went down 2-1 at home to Birmingham at Fratton Park.

Despite a stoppage-time header from substitute Kanu, a first-half brace from Blues striker Cameron Jerome was enough to give his side revenge for their FA Cup loss on this ground last Saturday.

This result leaves Pompey five points from safety, and they stand to drop another nine behind should the Premier League impose a nine-point penalty following the club's plunge into administration.

Grant said: "I still believe that this needs to be decided on the pitch and we'll see how we get on. We can still do it, but we need to know for sure what will happen. We can't just keep reading in the papers every day that we are nine points down.

"Of course it affects the players, but when they come to the pitch, they are trying everything they can do to win the games."

PA Sport