David James off to Stoke City in bid to save cash-strapped Portsmouth from going under

23 January 2010 21:51
David James will lead the Fratton Park exodus this week as Portsmouth step up a clearout of their best players in a bid to avoid administration - or even closure. [LNB]The England keeper, whose loan move to Stoke is back on, was left out of Portsmouth's 2-1 FA Cup win over Sunderland on Saturday. [LNB]Off on loan: David James [LNB] Pompey manager Avram Grant was only able to name a squad of just 16 players, not the full 18. [LNB]Hundreds of fans marched on the ground before the tie to voice theirprotest against owner Ali al-Faraj and chief executive Peter Storrie. [LNB]It is uncertain whether Portsmouth can afford to pay staff theirJanuary wages on Friday, having failed to meet their payroll on time onthree previous occasions this season. [LNB]Meanwhile, it has emerged that Hong Kong businessman Balram Chainraihas tightened his grip on the club by changing the terms on the £20m orso he has lent them. [LNB]That loan is now secured against not only Fratton Park, but also therest of the club's assets, giving him almost total control of theirdestiny.[LNB]The club face liquidation if they are unable to pay their tax debtsby February 10. But they hope to get a transfer embargo lifted soon byproviding the Premier League documentation surrounding thecontroversial Sulley Muntari transfer deal.[LNB] Portsmouth 2 Sunderland 1: Pompey go marching on but fans fear worstDaniel King: The window is shutting on a bleak midwinterJames future remains unclear as Stoke boss Pulis reveals new hold-upPORTSMOUTH FC

Source: Daily_Mail