Portsmouth’s Joel Ward continues to weigh up his options with the Blues still believed to be very much in the race for his signature.

The 22-year-old is variously reported to be speaking to a club this morning and having narrowed his alternatives down to Town and another club.

While Leeds appear to have dropped back in the race and Sheffield Wednesday have dropped out completely, we understand Crystal Palace are strong contenders with Ward viewed as a straight replacement for right-back Nathaniel Clyne, who is set to leave Selhurst Park for the Premier League this summer.

Burnley, who are managed by Eddie Howe, Bournemouth boss during Ward’s loan spell with the Cherries, and Blackpool are the other interested parties.

Pompey administrator Trevor Birch said earlier in the week that he expected the versatile defender or midfielder to have moved by the middle of the week but with further discussions expected with the various interested parties, including Town, a swift resolution seems unlikely.

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

We8Norwich added 08:43 - May 23 Fingers crossed!
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Bluetone added 08:44 - May 23 If he is as much of a ditherer on the pitch as he has been off the pitch do we need him?
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bontcho added 08:45 - May 23 Palace look a good option for him, might well not need to move and going to play as Clyne is definitely moving on. Hope he chooses us though.
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SWBlue86 added 08:48 - May 23 Come on Joel, CP will struggle next season and the Town have got the attacking potential to be in the play off shake up. - You know it makes sense!
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PimsNumber1 added 08:48 - May 23 Is he that good that he has so moany optioons and can mess everyone about ? i wish we could find someone hopefully better but also more decisive about playing for us
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murraybrunning added 08:50 - May 23 Please sign!!
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Mr_Evans added 08:50 - May 23 We are a more impressive club than Palace, better ground, better training facilities. If he chooses them over us then it's all about wages.
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ArnieMsBigToe added 08:53 - May 23 I think that all of us contributors on TWTD deserve to have Ward sign for us. We have put in hours of comment. We have toiled through many weeks of trepidation. We have climbed every mountain. We have forded every stream . . . . Oops!! wait a minute. . .
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brian_a_mul added 08:53 - May 23 Im encouraged to see Leeds dropping out, it seems they have tight purse strings, phew. At least we are in with a strong chance. Its really up to the lad at this stage. I hope he chooses us too Bontcho!
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BlakeyBlue added 08:53 - May 23 Really past caring now on this one! Taken too long and clearly not that keen on joining town or he would have done it ages ago. Let's move on cos I can see him being another Bullard, all hype & no action once signed on the dotted line. Just end up being a massive dissapointment next season like most of the players we spend months chasing!!!
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RegencyBlue added 08:55 - May 23 I like this lads decisiveness!!
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buryblue77 added 08:59 - May 23 Bored Now!
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Cakeman added 09:07 - May 23 I have no problem with the lad taking his time as at the age of 22 it is an important decision for him to make. However if he signs or not is one thing but what we need sorted first I would have thought is a Goal keeper and a Right sided central defender!
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NITFC added 09:12 - May 23 If he's as good as the press inches that he has had over the last 6 months he will be a good addition!!
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yorksblue added 09:15 - May 23 Why haven't we signed Heaton? Been released by Cardiff, so what are we waiting for.......Leeds to pip us!
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PunchNoHopers added 09:16 - May 23 Bet he'll go to Palace, as it's only an hour away from Portsmouth, and will mean he will stay in Portsmouth with his family, which he can't do if he signs for us!
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saffronblue added 09:17 - May 23 I hope the lad comes, like cakeman I have no problem with him making a considered decision, if he goes elsewhere I hope we go for Lowton instead but we do need a proper No 1 keeper as top priority this summer.
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Karlosfandangal added 09:22 - May 23 Maybe if we had not finishe half way down the table and released about 6 players and not signed anyone, he would have jumped at the chance to sign. However at the minute we have a smaller team than last year and only " we hope to sign 6 players this summer" In Jan window PJ said we had identified the targets and hope to get them in early.
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Wickets added 09:31 - May 23 Huge decision for the lad, give him a chance to get it right and sign for us.
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Marcus added 09:35 - May 23 I don't think he's dithered as much as has been accused. He was a nearly deal in January who said he wanted to finish the relegation fight before moving. Then he had a number of offers and said he can't decide until the season (including play offs) are over as one of the offers was from a club still involved. He wants to play for a competitive club, as does every player. Less than a week after the play offs he's said he'll make his decision. I don't see that as significant dithering at all. If anything it's mostly agent talk/press 'leaks' that's kept this in the news.

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KenDubZ added 09:51 - May 23 Just wants money you know what you need to know about both clubs your just after money what a plonker!!!
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Paddy39 added 10:06 - May 23 I'm fed up with the whole saga he only waited to see if Blackpool were going up. Enough is enough, either put pen to paper today or fcuk off elsewhere.
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suffolkpoker added 10:06 - May 23 SHOCK... he hasnt made his mind up! Its getting a little boring! Saying all that i would be very impressed if we sign him
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PauloJulio added 10:15 - May 23 Bored now!
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jayceee added 10:32 - May 23 This report makes it sound quite promising: http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/sport/transfer_latest_ipswich_town_and_one_other_ri Just hope Clegg does not blow it, who has not been involved till now!
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