Balram Chainrai will not allow Portsmouth to go under.

That's the word from Chainrai's spokesman, Phil Hall.

With February's wages due on Friday and the adjourned winding-up petition lodged by Revenue & Customs to be heard a week today, Portsmouth face a serious threat to their existence, with administration beginning to look a more attractive option.

But Chainrai, the Hong Kong-based businessman who has taken over as owner in order to safeguard the £18 million he loaned the club last year, is willing to take further action to protect his stake.

"If he can't find investment, he will find a way of saving the club himself," Hall said. "He will bring his business contacts into play and he says categorically the club will not close and its history will continue into the future."