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

irishtim added 12:34 - Apr 27 Either he signs now or go elsewhere.
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Sindre94 added 12:35 - Apr 27 Excellent. A really good player who will serve our beloved club good if he comes down. Pearce on the other hand is a shame we lose out on.. but if he dont wanna come here we dont want him here either ;) Let him enjoy dirtyleeds! And Jewell wants 6 signings atleast, good news, and when he says Ward fits the bill (talking of age), it gives me an impression that hes changing and that hes learning from his previous mistakes. What do you say guys, should we ALL be supportive of Jewell this summer? for once? Please. I think it would help alot. BLUE ARMY!!!

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Sindre94 added 12:37 - Apr 27 Comes UP it is* haha
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brian_a_mul added 12:37 - Apr 27 Hey Tim, u just beat me to the first post! If he does sign it would be a very good one. Good age to develop and would make excellent cover on bench (def + mid). Probably not a first choice immediately but as they say its a squad game. Him and colin Doyle would be very good additions to squad.
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Sindre94 added 12:38 - Apr 27 When I say we all should be supportive of Jewell I dont say you have to agree, but just support it and give it a shot, thats the least us fans can do,eh? COYB
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bluethroughnthrough added 12:38 - Apr 27 Come on Clegg pull your finger out and sort this out now.
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Sindre94 added 12:39 - Apr 27 @brian_a_mul I think Ward would be preferred at the right back position, hopefully as a first choice, as far as I know, hes a pacey lad.
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strikalite added 12:40 - Apr 27 I thought we'd discussed everything that needed to be discussed in January...look Mr agent, here is the deal, I'll give you 24 hours to get back to me with an answer either way, it's now 12.40pm, meeting over.
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lscooper23 added 12:42 - Apr 27 Sign him up! Great age and provides good cover if not a starting place. Can play in defence or midfield so really it's a no brainer! Sindre94 I totally agree lets get behind Jewell for once, even Sir Bobby had a few bad seasons before he came good so who's to say Jewellio won't? I am optimistic for next season! COYB!!!!
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tractorboy2434 added 12:44 - Apr 27 Once he knows what's on offer wages wise that will make his mind up, he will be going elsewhere, move on and find someone else Jewell or is that too much like hard work
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Garv added 12:45 - Apr 27 We already have a pacey full back, two in fact. Cover is fine but I wouldn't want Edwards or Cresswell replaced. What has been his main position for Pompey this season?
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Pabloisgod84 added 12:50 - Apr 27 think this would be a good signing , young, seems a committed lad and is versatile. shame we cant Pearce as well as feel he just the type of centre back we need. overall not happy with Jewel but i guess we have to be real and there is no magic wand we can wave or quick fixes out there so we have to be patient and stick with it. Just hope he gets 2 half tidy centre backs targeted and nailed in the bag early doors and then we do have a real chance, make Scotland and Chopra train hard in pre season as i think them 2 together fully focused and fit could be potent. Scotland been decent lately.

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irishtim added 12:50 - Apr 27 @Brian a mul. Reckon doyle would be a good signing for us. Ward would also be welcome. Reckon we should also try for wickham for season long loan. All went well at wedding last sat. Now enjoying married life but still cant stay away from twtd.
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Surco72 added 12:53 - Apr 27 Garv ..Edwards cannot defend as his positioning is still very poor he needs to be further forward where he is natural and can hurt the opposition .There is a reason we have let so many goals in as a team even though the centre backs ,goalkeepers and midfield has changed constantly we are still getting found out on the flanks constantly mainly Edwards side ?
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gibbo added 12:54 - Apr 27 Makes you wonder what was talked about at the end of the loan transfer window, surly if he was interested then wages/fee were mentioned ?
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BillBlue added 12:55 - Apr 27 Yep. Spot on Sindre and iscooper. What a nice change it will be to have a bit of harmony among the supporters! As I have said on here several times I think Paul Jewell is in the process of building something good here and will turn out to be one of our very best Managers. I think, with patience, happy days lie ahead. Even Jas is beginning to mellow (a bit!). COYB
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iamipswich added 13:00 - Apr 27 Happy with ward. Think we could do better than Colin Doyle
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 13:01 - Apr 27 Garv - played in several but mainly left midfield or right back. Can play centre back too, probably why he is keen to get him.
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Garv added 13:02 - Apr 27 I think we'll miss out on a lot of attacking threat if we replace Edwards or even move him forward. I don't think he's good enough for right wing. He played there for a year and a half and looked brilliantly average. At right back we've finally seen what he can do. I like that he can start attacks from where he is at the moment, he won't be able to do that as well as he does now from further up the pitch. I think he will still remain PJ's first choice anyway though.

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brian_a_mul added 13:21 - Apr 27 @ IrishTim Congrats on the wedding! Delighted it all went well for ye. You'll be grand, as long as you dont let your wife know about your TWTD addiction. Back on topic, Ward would be a very valuable member of the team if he does join. Please let it happen!!
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newboy added 13:32 - Apr 27 Not unlike many others will only come here as a last resort and it's not the club it's the manager
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casanovacrow added 13:35 - Apr 27 Ward only improves the squad and not the team, Carlos getting 1st in players player tells you he aint getting dropped in a hurry. Pearce would be the guy who improves the team but yet again Jewell with wrong priorities. 1x right sided CB 1xGK 1x Left winger then 1xBIG striker then 1x lb cover 1x rb cover chances are we'll be heading into next season with square pegs in round holes again

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walberswick added 13:39 - Apr 27 It's like ebay, you bid and there is always somone at the end with just a liitle bit more.
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walberswick added 13:40 - Apr 27 You only win with a low bid if no-one else wants him.
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Lightningboy added 13:46 - Apr 27 If he's dithering then look elsewhere..do not waste time on targets that can't make up their minds..their hearts are obviously not as big as their wallets.
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