Boss Paul Jewell has confirmed that the Blues are in talks with Joel Ward’s agent about the 22-year-old Portsmouth defender or midfielder moving to Portman Road this summer. However, the Town manager expects January target Jason Pearce to sign for Leeds United.

Jewell said: “I think Pearce is going to Leeds, I think that’s done. The agent rang me [on Wednesday] about Joel Ward and I’ve just passed that on to Marcus.

“The player interests us and I met him here about six weeks ago, showed him around and had a good conversation.

“He was keen to come, then Portsmouth beat Birmingham and decided to keep players until after the loan deadline.

“Obviously it’s gone pear-shaped for them and his agent rang me. I don’t know how strong the interest is from any other clubs.”

In January, the Blues agreed fees with Pompey for Ward and keeper Stephen Henderson, who subsequently joined West Ham, but the moves broke down over personal terms. Town and others had offers turned down for Pearce.

Jewell, who believes the player is keen on the switch, says the success of the Ward move is likely to depend on whether a fee can be agreed with newly-relegated Pompey: “That will be down to whether or not we can do a deal with Portsmouth.”

Meanwhile, Jewell has revealed to the BBC that he was due to speak to a goalkeeper yesterday afternoon with Birmingham's Colin Doyle linked last night and Manchester United's Tomasz Kuszczak on the Blues' summer wish list.

Elsewhere, a not overly-convincing report in Yorkshire claims the Blues and Hull have joined Leeds in showing interest in Doncaster's El-Hadji Diouf.

Photo: Action Images

DanLyles added 13:50 - Apr 27 I would have liked Pearce to join but sounds like Warnock has beaten PJ to it. I would love Chester and Hobbs from Hull (tightest back four in the Championship last time I checked), but doubt they would sell. St Ledger would be good too. I think that Ward would make us more solid at the back if he played at right back. I know Carlos was player of the year but he does leave us a bit exposed. Maybe we would get more out of him on the wing anyway?

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buryblue77 added 14:07 - Apr 27 @irishtim, I've same prob mate, Just got married myself and the wife asks if I love this site more than her? Well, you can change your friends, your wife (not that I want to do that obviously) but you can't change your football team. COYB!!!!
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jas0999 added 14:13 - Apr 27 Sindre94 - you raise a good point. However, although I am extremely disappointed in PJ - (let's face it, it's been a poor season; very poor in fact - some may say a backwards step looking at points achieved and run in cup competions) - every week I go and support the TEAM. Whether I agree with the manager or not, I always support the players on a matchday and have yet again renewed my season ticket (despite financially challenging times). This is not for PJ, but to support the club. I believe it is possible to support the club, without being behind the manager. IMO PJ has much to prove and as yet have seen little evidence that he is the man to move us forward. I honestly hope that PJ proves me and the other doubters wrong - but PJ needs to perform better than he has so far. Of course, I accept that some think he is doing a good job - we will all have to agree to disagree on that! Ward would be a very good signing - just the type of player we need for now and for the future. This would be a positive first step for what needs to be a very busy Summer of transfer activity.

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irishtim added 14:27 - Apr 27 @buryblue77 congrats mate. Wait till my wife gets her pressie New itfc jersey will make a tractor girl out of her lol
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buryblue77 added 14:37 - Apr 27 Irishtim, thanks and congrats to yourself of course. I'm not sure mine would like a new shirt either and I've only managed to get her along to one game, which is remarkable considering she hates the beautiful game!
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Keaneish added 15:21 - Apr 27 Ward - great! Pearce!? - FFS! What a joke! Why leeds? We've lead the chase for him since January and told the world about it!! Why all of a suden have Leeds become club number 1! Where did this fall down? Last we heard was that Pearce wanted to fight for Pompey and would prefer to stay on the South coast. Well, he's done that unsuccessfully for Pompey so surely we move in. How did Leeds get into poll possession for this!? Pearce is the difference between us making a strong challenge and not. I will be very angry with the Clegg if this isn't secured given their is no current logical reason for us not to have sorted this. We need a defender and captain of that calibre and currently have no further links in that department! The defender situation has gone on long enough!!!

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buryblue77 added 16:06 - Apr 27 @Keanish, I don't think Pearce and Henderson wanted to join us when we put the triple bid in for them in January, Ward seems keen but as the others didn't want to come to us the deal fell through. Which is probably why Pearce is looking to go to Leeds.
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RaymondovicBlue added 16:45 - Apr 27 Pearce - big shame. Should have got him BEFORE he went to Portsmouth as we were apparently linked but nothing came of it. But listen here Jason ... you are signing for the wrong club - Ipswich are MUCH more likely to get promoted next year than Leeds. Yes, I DID say that and I will stick to it. Remind yourselves of that in May 2013
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TractorTrog added 16:49 - Apr 27 Agree with Brian_a_mul.....He would be a great addition to the team...one other thing it does seem that the mangement team are listening...and yes we should all get behind PJ for next season...PJ has the first 3 matches to prove a point and I think he and theam will do it looking at our overall trend this last part of the season....so its critical we get off to a flying startCOYB

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MarkITFC added 17:28 - Apr 27 Hope we sign Joel Ward asap before other teams try and sign him , id be happy with El Hadji Douif aswell , he is a tw*t but he is the sort of player that will get you out of this league.
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buryblue77 added 19:46 - Apr 27 @Mark, El Hadji Doiuf certainly fits the bill of a type of player to get you out of this league. Down to League one!!!
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righty added 20:04 - Apr 27 Has anyone thought that very few players want to come to this club just look at the players we have spoken too we have spoken to Ward at christmas and he said he did not want to come here whats the point. Another thing is look were Portsmouth finished even without 10 point reduction lets look at good lower league players who have something to prove 4 or 5 Cresswells would do

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DiamondGezzer added 07:01 - Apr 28 Ward fits the bill, but can Marcus and Clegg do the deal ? We'll soon find out. By the way, all those still saying Paul Jewell can't do the deals, he provides the names of players he would like, then its up to Marcus and Clegg, NOT the other way round !
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