Portsmouth boss Tony Adams has told his players he only wants them at the club if they are dedicated to contributing to a season turnaround.
Pompey currently sit 11th in the table after a run of three Premier League defeats, the most recent of which was a 4-1 Boxing Day mauling at the hands of West Ham.
Rumours have been rife that a host of Pompey stars are eyeing January transfers out of Fratton Park following Lassana Diarra’s agreement to join Real Madrid.
Striker Jermain Defoe is one such name and has been touted for a return to Tottenham and a link-up with Harry Redknapp again, but Adams insists he has received no approach for the marksman and has issued a stern warning to the rest of his staff.
“We have our task and I want everyone involved with me and everyone at Portsmouth giving everything,” Adams was quoted as saying in The News.
“I've told them that if their heads are turned or if they don't want to be here then thank you very much, you are not going to be good to anybody.
“If the team is willing to scrap and stick together and fight for some wins, fight for clean sheets, they are going to be okay.
“I don't think anyone's head has been turned yet but I wanted to make it very clear because I have been in the situation before where you need to fight.
“There has been no question we haven't been fighting. I'm just saying, just in case it starts to creep in.
“As for Jermain Defoe, he will go where Jermain Defoe wants to go.
“I want him at the football club and spoke to him last week and have had no offers.
“The club is changing, it is in transition, and I am really going to give everything I can.
Diarra has signed a deal with the Spanish champions that will net Pompey £20 million, an amount that Adams originally thought he would have to reinvest in the transfer market.
However, he has now admitted that he is unlikely to be able to do that, and that it will affect the targets he goes for in the New Year.
“How these things work is we don't get all the money up front and I think we have got to pay for a few players we have already brought into the club,” said Adams.
“It's going to be very tough, especially in the January transfer window where there are over-inflated prices, but I think this squad really does need one or two players.
“Reinforcements are needed.
“I am desperate to do that, but I am not sure I can do that at this moment in time with the resources.”