Appleton confident Pompey deals will be renewed

Pompey playing contracts are set to expire at the end of this week '“ but Michael Appleton doesn't expect any of his squad to walk away.

The majority of the players penned 28-day deals back on August 16.

That enabled them to feature in the League One opener against Bournemouth and subsequently five other matches.

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The period ends around Friday and Saturday, depending on the individual players.

It means the squad are required to pen new one-month contracts if they want to continue representing Pompey.

Appleton is confident those players he wishes to retain will renew their Fratton Park commitment.

It remains to be seen, however, if he opts to offer fresh deals to all his squad as he seeks to shuffle his pack and create room for the arrival of a defender or striker.

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Regardless, the Blues boss is relaxed over the future of a group of players he believes are realistic in their expectations.

He said: ‘A lot of the players’ contracts end this week.

‘They didn’t sign their 28-day contracts until two days before the start of the league season, so that’s about right.

‘Nobody has mentioned anything to me about leaving.

‘In the past, people thought it was a bit of a pay-day if they got a move to Portsmouth and you got a few quid in your pocket. Those days are well gone.

‘Every agent and player has sat down and spoken to me, realises that now.

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‘It’s quite refreshing the players want to come here and play. It’s humbling.

‘I’ve told the players that we are all playing for our careers and we’re all playing for our futures – me included.

‘We’ve been put together in circumstances we should never have had.

‘It shouldn’t happen at this level of football.

‘We bounced back from the Oldham defeat and had the character to do that, so all credit to them all.’

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Those whose existing deals run out at the end of the week include Mustapha Dumbuya, Liam Walker, Jon Harley, Brian Howard, Lee Williamson, Jack Compton, Izale McLeod and Luke Rodgers.

In addition, the loan spells of Mikkel Andersen, Conor Clifford and Kevin Long are up for renewal.

However, it has already been decided not to extend the stay of Paul Connolly, who is injured and has returned to Leeds.