Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has labelled claims that striker David Nugent could go out on loan “absolute rubbish”. Nugent was linked with the Blues earlier in the week, reports which triggered Preston interest in their former player.

Redknapp said: "Those suggestions are absolute rubbish. There is not a chance. Do you think I paid all that money to sign him from Preston and then loan him back? That wouldn't be very clever.

"I've got just three strikers at the moment - if Kanu is fit. He got a knee injury in Africa and Utaka is really a winger. We are not exactly overloaded still for strikers."

Nugent is currently out of action having undergone hernia surgery but hopes to be back in action when his current side take on his old club in the FA Cup on February 17th.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls