Portsmouth retain key players

Crisis-stricken Championship club Portsmouth have made it clear that they plan to fight relegation by holding on to their key players.

The club entered administration earlier this season and it was feared that they would have to sell players in order to survive.

However, manager Michael Appleton said that with Portsmouth's 4-1 win over Birmingham City on Tuesday and the closing of the Football League's emergency transfer window, the club can now make a bid for Championship survival.

"There were a couple of loans on hold pending the result of Tuesday's game with Birmingham," Appleton said.

"But that 4-1 win encouraged us to have a go against relegation."

Pompey are currently bottom of the Championship, eight points from safety.