Portsmouth in admin

The news was confirmed after their application for administration was approved at the High Court. The club are able to continue trading while the search for a new owner begins.

The 10-point deduction, which is mandatory for clubs in administration, means Portsmouth slide from 18th to 21st, outside the relegation places on goal difference with a game in hand on their immediate rivals.

The Football League said in a statement: "Portsmouth Football Club have been deducted 10 points in accordance with Football League rules and regulations.

"This sporting sanction has been implemented with immediate effect, following formal confirmation that the club is in administration. Portsmouth have seven days in which to appeal.

"The Football League will now begin dialogue with the administrator aimed at achieving a successful sale of the club and its continuation in league football."

Trevor Birch has been appointed as the club's administrator, with Portsmouth bid to bring back Andrew Andronikou for a second time rejected because of a possible conflict of interest. Andronikou is involved with one of Portsmouth's creditors.

Portsmouth owe around £2m to creditors, and around the same amount again to the Inland Revenue in tax, the hearing heard.

Electricity and gas suppliers have threatened to cut the power to Portsmouth's ground Fratton Park after the Championship club refused to pay.

The BBC also reported that Portsmouth's financial difficulties were so severe that captain Liam Lawrence could not have a scan on his injured calf.

"Liam can't walk properly," Appleton told BBC Radio Solent.

"Because we can't afford to scan his calf we don't know the full extent of the injury."

It is understood local clinics have offered to scan and treat the player free of charge.

The club has been struggling since November when Russian owner Vladimir Antonov was arrested in connection with alleged fraud at a Lithuanian bank.

Peter Kubik, of the club's financial advisors UHY Hacker Young, had said before the hearing that Portsmouth's bank accounts had been frozen after the winding-up application by HM Revenue and Customs.

He said: "The club's bank accounts have been frozen due to the winding-up hearing and they are finding it very difficult to trade. Once the administration order is in place the bank accounts will be made accessible again. We are aware that administration carries an automatic 10-point deduction by the Football League."