Portsmouth expect to pay their players’ December salaries on January 5th. The club had hoped the outstanding player salaries would be processed today, but the monies will now be cleared after the Bank Holiday.

A statement from Portsmouth read: “Portsmouth Football Club expect to pay their first team squad’s December salaries on Tuesday, January 5.

“The club has been speaking to the Professional Footballers’ Association and the players have been informed.

“The club has been assured of receipt of funds by Tuesday and the owner and board have been working hard on resolving the short-term delay.”

This is the second time this season Portsmouth have been unable to pay players’ wages on time.

The south-coast club head into 2010 rooted to the bottom of the Premier League, following the 4-1 home defeat by title-chasers Arsenal on Wednesday night, and beset by financial worries.

Earlier yesterday, Pompey had issued a statement to deny the club had been formally served with a winding-up petition by the British Revenue and Customs in relation to disputed VAT, PAYE and National Insurance contributions of a reported €4million.

A High Court date has been set for early next year, but Portsmouth — who continue to operate under a transfer embargo imposed by the Premier League over unpaid transfer debts — are expecting to have the matter resolved before then and the threat of possible administration lifted.