Storrie: Administration not the answer

HMRC issued the petition over unpaid debts at the end of last year and the club failed in their bid to have it struck out by a High Court judge in a hearing on January 16.

Since then, Hong Kong businessman Balram Chainrai has become Pompey's fourth owner of the season after acquiring Ali al-Faraj's 90 per cent stake in the club last week. Chainrai's main intention is to recover money that he is owed by the club, however, and Portsmouth are seeking yet another owner to take on responsibility for the long term.

Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie, who has been charged with running the club on a day-to-day basis, is still optimistic they will avoid going into administration.

He said: "Our priority is Wednesday's court date with the Revenue. Our objective, now the new owner is in place, is to seek from the courts a stay of the winding-up order. We need time for a new buyer to come in and then we will be in a position to pay the Revenue.

"If the Revenue wind this club up, then they will get nothing and that cannot be the right answer. We're in talks with potential new owners, which would be our fifth owner already this season.

"I've heard the joke about how we have had more owners than wins this season, but the media have been putting the knife in all season and no-one is going to stop now."

Pompey have several injury doubts before Tuesday night's match.

Anthony Vanden Borre limped off during Pompey's 5-0 defeat against Manchester United on Saturday and his replacement Kevin-Prince Boateng, was also unable to complete the match after suffering an ankle injury.

Elsewhere, Fulham host Burnley and Stoke travel to Wigan.

Burnley defender Stephen Jordan is pushing for a starting place, having been out for two weeks with a hamstring strain.

Chris McCann's recovery from a knee injury is progressing well, but the match at Craven Cottage is too soon for him, while Graham Alexander (calf) and Steven Caldwell (groin) remain out.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has a virtually fully-fit squad for the visit of Stoke, whose striker Ricardo Fuller was arrested on Sunday after an incident in a nightclub in Hanley.