Portsmouth leave for pre-season without senior players

Portsmouth manager Michael Appleton has revealed that none of his senior players will be travelling to Spain for the club's pre-season tour.

The south coast side only have eight remaining senior professionals as they continue to struggle financially.

Appleton is hoping that all eight will have left by the time he returns as he looks to build a new squad of triallists and youngsters.

"None of the senior players who were here last season will be travelling to Spain," Appleton told BBC Radio Solent.

The eight professionals still on Pompey's books are Tal Ben Haim, Greg Halford, Erik Huseklepp, Dave Kitson, Liam Lawrence, David Norris, Luke Varney and Nwankwo Kanu.

"They will get a training programme in Portsmouth and hopefully they will have gone to pastures new by the time I get back," added Appleton.

"I still haven't signed my first player as Portsmouth boss so it would be nice to get that out of the way.

"If it goes another couple of weeks and I still haven't signed anyone then I think it could start to become an issue."

The club will start next season in League One on -10 points because of their boardroom trouble.