Town boss Paul Jewell says Portsmouth boss Steve Cotterill’s weekend claim that skipper David Norris wants to join Pompey is news to him. The Blues manager, who revealed that he has two bids in for players, says he wants soon-to-be-out-of-contract duo Norris and Gareth McAuley to remain at Portman Road.

Jewell says Norris, whose current deal is up at the end of June, has said nothing to him about wanting to move to Portsmouth: “He hasn’t told me.

“I’m a little bit disappointed with that, I’ve spoken to Steve Cotterill a couple of times about different things and I think things like that should be dealt with [in private] and if something happens then he can talk.

“The two lads who are in question at the moment, David Norris and Gareth McAuley, I’ll be sitting down with them later in the week and seeing what we want to do. I’m not in any rush, I’m not under any pressure to move people out and you want to keep your better players here.

“But, if players want to leave, whoever they are, from the youngest player to the most experienced, if they don’t want to be here and things are right for us, they can move.”

However, as far as Jewell is concerned Norris and McAuley are very much in his plans for the future: “David Norris has definitely not intimated to me that he wants to leave. I want to keep him but Steve Cotterill thinks he wants to leave. However it doesn’t matter what I think or what Steve Cotterill thinks, it depends on the player. If a player wants to stay, then we’ll endeavour to keep them.

“The last I heard the chief executives were speaking, but I haven’t spoken to David Norris about it, it’s something I’ve put to the back burner, I want to get this game out the way and then we’ve got a few days to try and sort things out.

“I want to keep David Norris at the football club, I want to keep Gareth McAuley, they are the players that are being mentioned more than others. We’d like to keep them, but we want them to be committed and if we can get a deal sorted out, it’ll be great.”

The Town manager neither confirmed nor denied that Luton midfielder Andy Drury is one of the two signings he is looking to make before the transfer window closes: “We’re interested in lots of players, we’ve made bids for two players.

"Those players, without trying to mislead you, you can speculate about because I don’t really want to talk about other teams' players. I can’t ask Steve Cotterill not to do so and then talk about other teams' players myself.”

Turning his attention to Tuesday’s Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Arsenal at the Emirates, Jewell says that for all the Gunners’ quality, any result is possible in football: “We’ve got to respect them, they’re a great team, they’ve got great players, a great manager, it’s a great club. But it’s 11 against 11 and we’ve got to see if we can pull off a huge upset.”

Town have no new injuries ahead of the tie with Jewell having already picked his side. Colin Healy suffered a minor groin problem during Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Doncaster but trained today, while the Blues boss will have to make one enforced change with Lee Martin cup-tied.

Photo: Action Images

legoman added 15:16 - Jan 24 He is leaving it to see how we get on tomorrow night. He won't leave if we get to the final!
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MaySixth added 15:16 - Jan 24 Well done Paul Jewell.
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KangarooBlue added 15:17 - Jan 24 These two HAVE to be offered a new contract within the next few days
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Blue_Fred added 15:18 - Jan 24 spot on legoman - exactly my thoughts on Norris and Mac.
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TractorRoyNo1 added 15:23 - Jan 24 spot on PJ, but had RK said that this forum would have jumped on him “But, if players want to leave, whoever they are, from the youngest player to the most experienced, if they don't want to be here and things are right for us, they can move.”
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itfc1981 added 15:32 - Jan 24 Mc is the man to keep.
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Garv added 15:33 - Jan 24 Please no swearing tractorroy
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cobbold_fanatic added 15:42 - Jan 24 Keane said we had no chance against arsenal which illistrated his negative approach to the game, very nice to see jewell saying we can do it tomorrow jewell seems a positive individual, which I'm sure will breed confidence in the players now it's time for clegg and ME too get their priorites right and sign up these two...
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lincolnshireblue added 15:42 - Jan 24 Defo need to keep Norris and McAuley, but PJ is doing the right thing and sorting out after the big game. We do not want anything getting in the way of the preps for tomorrows game. After that game he needs to go all out to get them signed, by the end of the week, on at least 2 to 3 years contracts.
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Campag_Velocet added 15:44 - Jan 24 Well said TractorRoy. Whether it's Jewell, Keane or any of their predecessors who say it they're right. If they don't want to stay, they can go. I'm concerned about Norris, because it's all reminiscent of how we acquired him from Plymouth in the first place, with comments from the buying manager (Magilton) saying how much he wants the player, and how the player wants to come.

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bluelady added 15:55 - Jan 24 well done PJ, i dont for one minute thing the players staying or leaving will be impacted by tomorrows results at all, however these guys need to get their heads down and concerntrate on the big game ahead, not thinking about contracts. Once the game is over, whatever the result PJ will sit down and sort it out. If they cant see the new dawning of this club and prefer to go elsewhere then sad as it is lets get in someone who does want to play for us (but Norris, Portsmouth, really?!!!! thought you had a good head on your shoulders!)

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muhrensleftfoot added 15:57 - Jan 24 I don't think Norris will leave provided the contract details are agreed. i think it is more likely that McAuley will leave, as it seems one or two premier league clubs could be interested in him. You couldn't blame him if he left us for the Premier, because at 31 yrs old, he may never get another chance.
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brian_a_mul added 16:04 - Jan 24 Jewell is going to sit down and talk to the players?? Its good to know there is a second seat in the managers office these days!
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bluelady added 16:10 - Jan 24 brian_a_mul makes a change from the deathly glare doesnt it!
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whymarksmyhero added 16:24 - Jan 24 Just get a feeling that both Mac and Chuck might want away, there's a lot of tapping up being done, with these two being out of contract. Reading between the lines, and with some of the comments coming out of PR, it wouldn't surprise me if both went, which be a great shame. Roll on tomorrow night, already got my thraot lozenges ready !!!
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SammyT added 16:49 - Jan 24 Sign up Mac and Chuck posters @ The Emirates anyone...?
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bedsitfc added 16:53 - Jan 24 If they do want away so be it, itfc is bigger and more important than any player. It wouldn't be the end of itfc.
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WickedBlue added 16:58 - Jan 24 Keane said we have no chance against Arsenal? I never saw him say that...care to give us proof by posting a link?
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casanovacrow added 17:00 - Jan 24 Just seems like Norris has been telling everyone he wants to be "there" so he can get the best deal. Cant say I blame him, I'm sure if we match any other club's offer he'd rather stay here.
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bluelady added 17:00 - Jan 24 WicketBlue i cannot remember the exact comment but he certainly said something along those lines.
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buresmac added 17:09 - Jan 24 This must get sorted but SSN claim Town interested in Bullard!
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Seasider added 17:09 - Jan 24 Think McA felt he should have had his contract sorted earlier following the approaches made for him in summer,where as quite recently DN said he had no desire to leave. Would be foolish to go to Portsmouth even if they offer him a longer contract,which I think both are after;as Pompeys financial future is by no means as secure as his present club.
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Wickets added 17:17 - Jan 24 We always beat Arsenal in the cups!!!!
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jas0999 added 17:19 - Jan 24 No smoke without fire - but I don't think agents help. I also seem to recall that there was quite a lot of fuss when Norris wanted to join us? In any event, with the window closing in a week we will know soon enough. I wouldn't be surprised if Norris does leave.
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tractorboy2434 added 17:38 - Jan 24 He will be away after tomorrow's game, but let's face it 250K is a bit of an insult, all it would take is a 2 year contract because that is what Pompey have offered and we only offered 1 year, should be able to sort that out but no way should he be given another 3 years, he is 30.
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