Michael Appleton has admitted that three Portsmouth players will have to wait until the end of the season for any potential new contract offers.

Ricardo Rocha, Jamie Ashdown and Benjani will all become free agents in the summer but Appleton has revealed that he is prevented from entering into contract negotiations due to the club's current financial situation.

Appleton told The News: "I have had a brief conversation with them, saying they are going to have to bear with me and be patient.

"For one, we don't know what division we are going to be in. And two, we haven't got an owner so I can't turn around and offer them contracts just yet. There are too many scenarios at the minute.

"I just have to get into the middle of it and work outwards. Then I need to get the call right about who I definitely know is going to be here next year."

Portsmouth are currently 23rd in the Championship.