PORTSMOUTH have dodged a potentially disastrous problem ahead of their Sky Bet League One play-off semi-final with Oxford United.

It looked as though they could be without first-choice centre half pairing Christian Burgess and Sean Raggett for the games.

The latter is on loan from Norwich City, while Burgess has agreed to join Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium's second division.

As the play-off games came after their deals expired, permission was required to allow both to feature.

That has now been agreed with both clubs, while another six players whose contracts expire at the end of the month have agreed short-term extensions.

Lee Brown, Matt Casey, Oli Hawkins, Brandon Haunstrup, Adam May and Brett Pitman will all be available for the clashes against United on July 3 and 6.

Yesterday the U's tied up Sam Long, whose existing deal was due to expire next week, to a two-year contract.

They have already agreed extensions to cover loan players Marcus Browne and Matty Taylor, while Ben Woodburn's terms covered the games.

It leaves Liam Kelly as the only loan player whose involvement is yet to be clarified, although boss Karl Robinson last week was optimistic of agreeing an extension with Feyenoord for their midfielder.