Michael Appleton has confirmed Jason Pearce and Greg Halford were left out of Portsmouth's defeat by Forest as the duo are set to move.
Pearce reported to have agreed deal with Leeds
Michael Appleton has confirmed Jason Pearce and Greg Halford were left out of Portsmouth's defeat by Nottingham Forest as the duo are set to join other clubs.
Pompey bowed out of the Championship with a 2-0 reverse at the City Ground and Appleton is now preparing for a major overhaul of his squad in the summer.
Financially-stricken Pompey need to sell players to raise funds and defender Pearce is widely expected to join Leeds United.
Utility man Halford is also attracting interest from several clubs, while Ipswich Town have revived their bid to sign youngster Joel Ward.
A number of other players are set to head out of Fratton Park and Appleton is expecting a busy period ahead of next season's campaign in League One.
Tough
"I would be very surprised if there are more than one or two players still here at the club next season," said Appleton.
"It could be as big as 17 or 18 players leaving the football club and the same number coming in. It's going to be a tough, tough, summer with a lot of hard work.
"There are agreements in place with various clubs over Greg and Jason that they wouldn't play the game, which we had to abide to, because we need to recoup the money for their services.
"Benjani, Dave Kitson and Kanu didn't travel to the game. Their future has to be away from Fratton Park, or this football club won't be able to survive, it's as simple as that. They have known that for a long, long time."
