No panic at Portsmouth insists Hreidarsson

Defender Hermann Hreidarsson insists there is no panic at Portsmouth after the cash-strapped asked the Premier League whether they could sell players outside the transfer window.

Pompey want to sell some of their players in a bid to pay their bills and have asked the Premier League for permission to do so.

However, the move will depend on their request being sanctioned by the Football Association and FIFA as well as the Premier League.

FIFA today confirmed to Press Association Sport that the FA had been in touch with them regarding Portsmouth's plight but offered no indication as to whether their request would be successful.

A FIFA spokesman told Press Association Sport: "FIFA can confirm it has received correspondence from The FA relating to the financial situation at Portsmouth FC and proposed measures to be taken in this respect."

Meanwhile, Hreidarsson knows the situation is out of the players' hands and the only thing they can worry about is helping secure three points against Stoke tomorrow.

"Well the people behind the scenes are working hard to sort the situation out," he told Sky Sports News.

"We just have to try and do our job. That's all we can do. We just have to go out on Saturday and try to pick up points.

"That's the end of the matter really. That's what we'll be trying to do and people behind the scenes are trying to sort out the club.

"The club has to stay alive. There's a lot at stake. The players will stay professional and keep trying to do our job."

Pompey have not identified any specific players for sale but reports suggest Algeria World Cup star Nadir Belhadj, midfielder Kevin Prince-Boateng and young defender Mark Wilson, could be made available.

However the cash-strapped club faces a race against time to gain permission to sell anyone.

While the Premier League and the FA may make an exception for Pompey, it is unlikely FIFA will sanction the move.

The south-coast club are still understood to be in negotiations with two interested buyers but any deal will have to be done swiftly if either of the parties involved is to come to Pompey's rescue.

The club faces a winding-up petition from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs over an unpaid £11m tax bill on March 1 and will require a major injection of cash if they are to avoid being wound-up.

Portsmouth have already lodged their Statement of Affairs with the High Court in a bid to prove they are still a solvent company.

They will return to the High Court on March 1 after HMRC officials have examined the document.

But there are a number of snags for Pompey even if they gain permission to sell players now.

Belhadj needs games as he is going to the World Cup while Boateng has already played for two clubs.

But if Pompey are wound-up then it would present the Premier League with a massive headache.

Pompey would throw the competition into turmoil if they fail to fulfil their fixtures and that is something Premier League officials are desperate to avoid.