CHERRIES’ squad are to continue their brave battle for League Two survival as normal after it was revealed some of the club’s players had not been paid.

Chief executive Alastair Saverimutto says he is working “around the clock” in an attempt to solve the club’s short-term cash flow crisis.

Financial issues this week resulted in a number of the players’ salary cheques not being honoured by their banks, while it is believed office staff have also not been paid.

While he is in the process of trying to broker a deal for the club, Saverimutto said a delay in receiving an interim financial package had resulted in the club having to “re-present payments to personnel”.

And a member of Eddie Howe’s squad told the Daily Echo it would be business as usual for the in-form team, saying: “We’re in such an important position in the league that we can’t let something like this affect us. Of course we’re disappointed but it happens in every walk of life, not just football.

“We’ve still got our jobs and the way things have been going with the recession and credit crunch, there are some people who haven’t been paid for months.

“It shouldn’t have an impact on the games. The boys know all about the club’s financial position and we know things aren’t too fruitful.

“We know there are not a lot of funds available and it is not just affecting the players because everyone who works at the club is in the same position. We’re all in it together and we’ve just got to get on with things.

“We’ve all got mortgages and bills to pay. With direct debits coming out early in the month, it has been a bit of a commotion having to phone the bank to tell them what’s happened.

“But we’ve just got to get on with it and leave whatever happens to the people upstairs to sort out.

“We know times are tough but we’ve got to stick together through thick and thin. The most important thing from the players’ point of view is going out tomorrow and concentrating on beating Port Vale. I’m sure everything else will sort itself out very soon.”