Former Portsmouth owner Balram Chainrai has held talks with administrator Trevor Birch about saving the stricken club. The Hong Kong businessman, who is reportedly owed £17million from his previous time in charge at Fratton Park, could step in to prevent Pompey from going bust before the end of the season.

Birch told the club's official website: "I'm continuing to work on plugging the funding gap to get us to the end of the season and also working on the cost structure, primarily player costs, for next year in order to reduce ongoing losses and attract potential purchasers.

"As part of that process I have had initial discussions with Balu Chainrai, in his role as a major creditor of the club. It is my duty to explore all possible avenues to try to save the club as a going concern."

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