HARRY REDKNAPP has revealed that he will attempt to help save his former club Portsmouth from being shut down.

The npower League One outfit have been set a deadline of August 10 by administrator Trevor Birch to have their finances in order or face going out of business.

And ex-Pompey manager Redknapp plans to speak to Nwankwo Kanu, who has lodged a claim for £3million in pay, to see if he can persuade the former Arsenal and Portsmouth striker to compromise with the club.

He said: "I will be ringing Kanu today to see if there is anything I can do. I signed him for Portsmouth on a one-year contract and Tony Adams told me: 'You must be mad, he is finished'. Six years later, he is still there."

Defender Tal Ben Haim is also owed a similar amount and Redknapp added: "In the case of Tal Ben Haim, if players have a contract and are owed money, you can see why they think they should get it. But if the club closes down they won't get a penny."

Redknapp spent five seasons at Fratton Park between 2002 and 2008, guiding the club to a FA Cup win in 2008.

"Portsmouth has got to be saved. It's a great club with great traditions," the 65-year-old said. "It would be a disaster if this club went out of business.

"It has great fans to the extent that, if you live in Portsmouth, you are a Portsmouth supporter. You don't see people wearing Manchester United or Arsenal shirts.

"It is soul-destroying to see them in this predicament, and there must be someone who could take over the club so cheaply and save them.