Portsmouth players want Avram Grant to take charge after the dismissal of manager Paul Hart this week.

The Sun says ex-Chelsea boss Grant, who returned as Pompey director of football last month on a £950,000-a-year salary, expects to receive a work permit today.

And he could now be installed ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Manchester United after the club consulted senior players, including England keeper David James.

Despite not being formally able to start work because of the delay with his work permit, Grant has become a popular and respected figure around the training ground.

And the players believe he is the man to help guide them to top-flight survival.

He even flew back with the team after Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Stoke while Hart drove back to Hampshire in his own car.