Portsmouth supporters are remaining defiant despite the plight of their financially-stricken club, insisting "a phoenix will rise from the ashes" regardless of their current problems.

Pompey will go into administration on Friday unless a buyer comes forward before then, the club's owner announced today.

Hong Kong businessman Balram Chainrai is in talks with four different groups about a takeover but admits it is "unlikely'' a deal will be done.

With a winding-up order due in the High Court on Monday, the decision has been taken to go into administration instead to save the club.

Ken Malley, a member of the Football Supporters Federation who is on the Pompey Supporters Trust working committee, told Press Association Sport: "I've supported Portsmouth for far too long to believe anything I read until it actually happens. Friday is still a long way away.

"As a fan, I'd rather we didn't go into administration, there's an awful lot of small businesses that lose out terribly if we do, so I'm not happy about that side of things.

"I'm just anxious that sooner or later we get some owners that are transparent and attempt to work with the community and the fans. If we get owners that do then we, as Portsmouth Trust, will be more than happy to work with them.

"There'll always be a Portsmouth Football Club, whatever happens. A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes to make sure that a phoenix would rise from the ashes in time for next season.

"One way or another, most decent football clubs are all about the fans rather than anything else at all and Portsmouth fans are here long term, it's as simple as that."

Jo Collins, of the Portsmouth Supporters Trust, admits administration is the best option and believes Chainrai is not to blame.

"I suspect a lot of fans would still be hoping, even at this stage, we would get another buyer anyway, and I think there was a feeling among many that Mr Chainrai might have opted to pay HMRC what they're owed to avoid us going into administration," she said.

"But I personally fully understand his motives for doing what he's doing.

"I still cling to a little bit of hope that a buyer might pop up, a realistic one who knows what he's doing and investing in and getting involved in, but if it's going to be administration I think I'd have to say I'd settle for that.

"I think that probably is the next best step forward for the club, go into administration and really sort matters out.

"I think we've all pretty much resigned ourselves to relegation, even disregarding the nine-point deduction (in the event of administration)."