New blow for Pompey

The south-coast club, in administration since February and still without an owner, will be accepted into the League but only if they accept a number of conditions, notably another points deduction.

Portsmouth were also docked ten points last season after entering administration for the second time in two years and were eventually relegated from the Championship.

The news is another blow to manager Michael Appleton, who began pre-season training on Monday with just eight senior players, most of whom will be gone by the time the new campaign kicks off next month.

Hayden Mullins yesterday joined Birmingham while David Norris and Luke Varney are expected to be sold in the next few days. Aaron Mokoena and Kanu, who did not turn up for training, are also leaving.

Last month, Portsmouth moved a step closer to coming out of administration after creditors voted in favour of former owner Balram Chainrai’s Company Voluntary Arrangement proposal, while the Pompey Supporters’ Trust are also bidding to take over the club. The Football League have said that whoever buys the club must agree that only a limited proportion of the secured debt from the previous club can be carried forward into the new company as secured debt.