Portsmouth’s players have been told they will not be paid their monthly wages, according to reports this afternoon. The situation could have a bearing on whether the Blues are successful in landing some or all of their three Pompey targets — keeper Stephen Henderson, central defender Jason Pearce (pictured) and defender or midfielder Joel Ward.

Manager Michael Appleton is understood to have informed the squad of the situation, which relates to a bank account being frozen by HMRC, who have issued a winding up order against the Hampshire club over £1.6 million in unpaid PAYE. Portsmouth will be looking to address the bank account situation tomorrow with their court hearing on February 20th.

Pompey’s ongoing situation could see them sell a number of players on deadline day, although not necessarily Town’s targets with Australian winger Ryan Williams in talks with Fulham regarding a £500,000 switch, Dave Kitson apparently interesting Brighton and Luke Varney linked with Wolves.

Speaking earlier today, Blues boss Paul Jewell admitted that he is unsure how many of his targets he might land: “Whether we get one player, two players or three players is still up in the air.”

Town are reported to have been talks with the administrator of Portsmouth’s parent company Convers Sports Initiatives but with Pompey officials so far having refused to agree to the proposed deal.

This is presumably what Jewell was referring to earlier today when he was talking about Pompey's situation: “Complicated is not the word. It’s complicated to the nth degree.”

The apparent escalation of Portsmouth's financial crisis would appear to rule out Blues skipper Grant Leadbitter or defender Damien Delaney wanting to move to Fratton Park, a possibility that Jewell said wasn't on the table as far as he was aware in any case.

Elsewhere, former Blues loanee Keith Andrews is reported to have handed in a transfer request at Blackburn.

It’s long been known that the Irishman wants to move away from Ewood Park but manager Steve Kean had hoped to reintegrate him back into his squad after his return from Portman Road earlier in the month.

The Blues were interested in bringing the 31-year-old, who has 18 months remaining on his contract, back to Suffolk but may be less keen since landing Ryan Stephenson from Hearts over the weekend.

Photo: Action Images

rosseden added 17:53 - Jan 30 poor old Norris...... such a shame......
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blueherts added 17:57 - Jan 30 WHY STOP AT 3 LETS GET LAWRENCE AND MAYBE THAT THAT HUNGARIAN STRIKER AS WELL FIRE SALE
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taylor15 added 17:58 - Jan 30 haha! poor pompey! sign them up now jewell, or do one!
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Keaneish added 17:59 - Jan 30 This makes tomorrow all the more interesting now!
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GTRKing added 18:00 - Jan 30 I think we should by norris back on a 3 year deal & get pearce & ward 2 then That will help us
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WoodfordTim added 18:02 - Jan 30 So David Norris worked it to get away from us last year on a Bosman and get a fat signing on fee and a three year deal. Not worth much if you don't get paid. What a wally. And a greedy one at that. Sack your agent David. Do hope we can get all three signings! Come on Mr. Evans, we know you can do it!
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shaunminx added 18:02 - Jan 30 Portman23 What's wrong with you? That's my opinion and I'll voice it if I wish regardless of what you may think. A month to get things sorted and thus far nothing in the defensive area. It may well build confidence in you but after 30 odd years of following this club it certainly doesn't build any in me.
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Bridgford added 18:03 - Jan 30 Think there may be a spelling mistake in there Phil. I've seen people spell Stevenson with a ph.. which one is correct?
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CornardBlue added 18:05 - Jan 30 I hope we are not just relying on the Portsmouth situation and have other irons in the fire. We need new defenders or i cannot see where the next win will come from.
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Pettitt10 added 18:06 - Jan 30 we need a captain!!!
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fourth added 18:14 - Jan 30 it's not complicated Paul. You need to talk to the Administrators. They are not expert football managers. Their job is to bring in the cash. The Tax problem is easily sorted out. They want to take their fees as soon as possible and find a buyer.
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tractorlads added 18:16 - Jan 30 looking foward to the impending failure to sign them...
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MickMillsTash added 18:16 - Jan 30 Time for action Major Clegg. You need to capture 3 men - and bring them back alive
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WarkyWonderLand added 18:25 - Jan 30 And back in the real world we have still only won twice in 16 games and only have 8 points from 48. Reality is we now need an average of 1 point per games which we haven't done for the past 16. And you can still buy your jewell tinted glasses outside the ground tomorrow night where you enter a fantasy world where if you bury your head in the sand everything will be ok!! Up against a proper manager and team tomorrow night and it may hurt, I hope I am wrong. Coyb

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Infineteregress added 18:26 - Jan 30 Events all seem to be conspiring in our favour. Keeping my fingers crossed! COYBs!
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tearle1974 added 18:27 - Jan 30 BREAKING NEWS, Banks accounts have been frozen at Portsmouth. That means no deals can be made. Paul Jewell forget these 3 and yet again we have missed the boat as Billy Sharp is having a medical at Southampton and yet again we are after loan signings again. Sorry everyone but just get rid of this talk over the month on transfers. We will be left with only the cleaner and one man and his dog behind the goal by the end of the season.

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Duncan added 18:27 - Jan 30 It's all come down to the last day!! What a surprise!! Desperation time, if this deal falls through we may well see PJ with a phone stuck to his head for 90 minutes trying to save his job!!
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blueherts added 18:30 - Jan 30 Evans dont trust him simple
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righty added 18:47 - Jan 30 What are Jewell and Clegg doing 1 day left no signings in positions were needed why didnt he look at the pompey trio on Jan 1 st or any others no there was never going to be signings ME doesnt trust them
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rogie_dog added 18:53 - Jan 30 Interesting article. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16710949.stm
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blueherts added 18:53 - Jan 30 Panic , blind panic on the decks - Evans probably told him 'you have limited funds and need about 6 new players go do it , oh and you better win yer next home game' .... We are putting our faith in a couple of good boys north of the border - maybe another Brazil and Wark eh ???
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Defoeblue added 18:54 - Jan 30 as another window closes we see the trap door open to reveal our future in Div 1 Money Man Clegg should work for RBS
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Michael11 added 19:05 - Jan 30 Just a word of warning to everybody who thinks that just signing these 3 players will solve everything, i want these lads to come too but pompey are 16th themselves and given their financial problems why are we still the only team to bid for them if they're that good?
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alfromcol added 19:07 - Jan 30 Another load of negative posters on here. Very glad that none of them has anything to do with ITFC. Most of them are not even 'glass half empty' types - more 'glass empty' like their views.
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TractorMatt added 19:09 - Jan 30 Phil I know it isn't a major error but would just like to point out you spelt 'Stevenson's' name wrong at the end of the story. Sorry just being my pedantic self.
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