Portsmouth boss Michael Appleton thinks January is ideal for new owners to come into the Championship club and share their vision for the future. Administrator Andrew Andronikou said last week that a deal to sell the club could be in place soon.

When asked if he had any news about a possible takeover, he said: "Just probably what you already know at the minute.

"Obviously Andrew Andronikou has come out and said a few days ago that we'd have a new owner in the next 48 to 72 hours.

"I did sit down with the players and say 'please take that with a pinch of salt' because you've got to be more cautious than anything on this one.

"I think from our point of view we're told that these two or three really interested parties are pushing each other very hard.

"Going into the second week of January I think it's important that we can get a little bit of stability in the football club with the new owners.

"I see it as a perfect opportunity for the new owners in January as it is a perfect opportunity to come in and stamp their authority on what their ambitions are for the club."

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