Portsmouth administrator Trevor Birch has slapped an August 10 deadline on Pompey's future.

Birch had showdown talks with the Pompey Supporters Trust last week as talks grew over a potential buyout by the fan initiative.

It was there that Birch confirmed that should talks between the administrators, the Trust and the players stall, the club could go out of business.

Pompey striker Luke Varney, 29, joined Championship side Leeds United this morning – with many at the club hoping that the exit door at Fratton Park shows positive signs of activity over the coming days.

The Trust issued a statement to its members this morning, stating that although they are ready to step in and buy the club, they will need the club's high wage earners to compromise to secure the 114-year-old club's future.

Pompey Supporters Club chairman Ashley Brown said: “We are ready and able to see this process through and buy the Club. We have made a good offer and are making good progress in raising funds.

“The one remaining hurdle is the payment of football creditors, but if they don’t shift we simply cannot do a deal outside liquidation.”

PST bid advisor, Anthony Fanshawe of Begbies Traynor added: ‘I have two messages for the players. Number one is that if you do not agree a sensible deal, the Club will go into liquidation in a couple of weeks and you will get nothing. Number two - we are willing to meet you at any time to discuss terms and put the deal to bed as soon as possible. Meet with us and together we can save Portsmouth Football Club"

Midfielder David Norris has been the subject of a transfer to second-tier newsboys Sheffield Wednesday, while Greg Halford took to Twitter to admit that he would 'do whatever it takes' to keep the club afloat – including tearing up his own contract.

Israeli defender Tal Ben Haim also spoke of his willingness to help save Pompey, despite his reported £36,000 per week wage demands. He has been heavily criticised by Birch over the past few weeks for failing to compromise with the club.

However, Ben Haim had a different version of the events. He said: “The administrator came in and then went missing for two months.

“He needs to stop doing deals with the press and start talking to the players. He needs to give us clear figures.”

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