Michael Appleton hoping to ship out high earners

Portsmouth boss Michael Appleton believes that the departure of a couple more of the club's higher earners could help ease others out of the door.

Aaron Mokoena and Hayden Mullins are the latest to leave, although Pompey are still looking to reduce their wage bill.

Appleton has claimed that he has been very clear with some players, letting them know that they need to leave the club. Mullins has taken a wage cut to join Birmingham City, while Mokoena is in talks with Bidvest Wits in South Africa.

"If people start leaving the club, going to other clubs, getting themselves fixed up, hopefully other players will start thinking 'maybe I need to start getting myself a club as well'," said Appleton.

"I have told the players if you think you are going to get every penny of every pound you are owed, then you have been given some poor advice. We have all lost out and are going to lose out - staff and players - but we have got to get on with life.

"For the club to continue, the bottom line is they are going to have to give a little bit - if they don't there won't be a club."

Appleton became manager of Portsmouth in 2011.