Portsmouth players are reluctant to see Avram Grant return to Fratton Park as new manager.

The News of the World says the former Chelsea boss remains the leading contender to replace Tony Adams. But his possible arrival has been delayed by a less than enthusiastic response to the Israeli from the Pompey dressing-room.

Grant and Sven Goran Eriksson emerged as the top choices of the Portsmouth board following Adams' exit.

The Swede was immediately given the thumbs-up by Pompey's senior players, with many publicly backing the link with the former England boss. Grant, on the other hand, has found little support among the squad for a return to the club where he was director of football.