Portsmouth manager Michael Appleton is not shying away from the challenge of keeping the troubled club in the Championship.

Pompey head to Peterborough on Saturday rocked by a winding-up petition from HM Revenue and Customs over an unpaid tax bill.

The cash problems at Fratton Park mean Appleton may be forced to sell some players before Tuesday's transfer deadline but the 36-year-old, who only took over in November, remains upbeat.

"We might be in a situation where we have to sell, it's going to be very difficult, we are aware of that," he said.

"But I'll give it a right good go. I love a challenge and I won't make excuses."