Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie has publicly rebuked club captain Sol Campbell, telling the defender to 'concentrate on playing' after his recent comments regarding the club's transfer policy.

Senior players David James and Sylvain Distin have joined Campbell in voicing their fears that a lack of signings in January could severely hinder the club's efforts to qualify for Europe this season.

Their public questioning of Pompey's transfer policy has drawn a stinging reply from Storrie, who has told the trio to stop making 'silly statements' and to remember the fact that the South Coast club spent around £30 million in the summer to improve the squad.

"We don't talk about how the players play, so they shouldn't talk about the money the club has spent," said Storrie in The News.

"How can someone like Sol go around and keep saying these things? We are one of the top spenders in The Premier League.

"We are puzzled as to why he keeps making these statements and comments.

"We have never, ever spent as much as we have done this season. Just look at the quality of the squad at the moment, just look at the progress this club is making.

"It's frustrating that our own players are saying this. I wish they would just concentrate on playing.

"I realise it shows they care and want to be part of what we are trying to achieve here, which is great, but sometimes they don't understand and make these silly statements.

"Some of these players have already forgotten how much we spent in the summer."