League One Portsmouth FC were given the green light on Thursday to "start the new season while in administration," and Manager Michael Appleton will embark on a transfer spree over the next 48 hours, according to the PA. The club faces another 10-point deduction, but the Football League has said that it will not come into effect "until the club exits administration." In other words, Pompey will begin the season on zero. A league spokesperson said, "Given the ongoing dialogue between the administrator and the Supporters' Trust, the board has given its consent to Portsmouth beginning the new season in administration." Meanwhile, Administrator Trevor Birch has told Appleton he can "begin signing players on one-month deals ahead of Saturday's League One opener" against Bournemouth at Fratton Park. Appleton has a "host of trialists training with the club" including Jon Harley, Brian Howard and Izale McLeod. However, since he was unable to offer them contracts until now, he was forced to field a "virtual youth side" in the 3-0 Capital One Cup defeat to Plymouth on Tuesday. Birch said, "We can sign players and are attempting to sign them between now and Saturday, but only on a monthly contract" (PA, 8/16).
