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Deadline Day Passes Quietly - Ipswich Town News

Loan deadline day passed quietly at Portman Road with no moves in or out of Town.

Crisis club Portsmouth appear to have been in a strong enough position to hold on to the remaining members of their squad, including Joel Ward, who held talks with Blues boss Paul Jewell on Sunday, and even added Manchester City youngsters Luca Scapuzzi and Karim Rekik on loan.

Last night, Jewell said that Town are focusing on the long-term and it may well be that Ward - and perhaps team-mate Jason Pearce, who was a target in January - could be viewed as part of the Blues' summer business.

The availability of either player is likely to depend on Portsmouth's divisional status and whether Pompey's financial situation has been resolved at that point.

The passing of the deadline means Town will finish the season with only two experienced keepers - Arran Lee-Barrett and Richard Wright - with Alex McCarthy returning to Reading on April 11th.

Meanwhile, it's emerged that Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba's brother is a schoolboy with the Town Academy. The 13-year-old lives in London and spends a couple of days a week at the club. Muamba senior is continuing his recovery in hospital after collapsing in the Trotters' FA Cup tie at Tottenham on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Town manager Paul Jewell and U18s coach Russell Osman are amongst those taking part in June's Addison Lee Footballers’ Golf Classic at Spain's La Manga Club.

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