Former Portsmouth striker Steve Claridge has big concerns for his old club.

He said: "It's unbelievable. Something here doesn't add up. Dr Sulaiman has been able to drive a hard bargain because (previous owner) Mr Gaydamak wanted out. So why are you selling your better players?

"We were told the players that went at Christmas - Jermain Defoe and Sulley Muntari - would be the last.

"We were told there wouldn't be a fire sale. Well, there aren't that many people left.

"Just 14 players turned up for pre-season. That's not enough. The quality isn't there now."

Claridge, talking at the launch of next season's live Football League coverage on the BBC, added: "I don't see anything other than a major struggle. They had five or six good players last year - not 11 - and the rest did a job. Of those, four have already gone."