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

gypo added 16:19 - May 23 Agree with all comments that aren't negative if he's here when pre season starts then great . He's got todo what's right for him and if it takes another week then so be it all he's doing is making sure its right for himself. It's better we have a player that's wants to be here rather than 6 months into the season he doesn't.
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gypo added 16:21 - May 23 Agree with all comments that aren't negative if he's here when pre season starts then great . He's got todo what's right for him and if it takes another week then so be it all he's doing is making sure its right for himself. It's better we have a player that's wants to be here rather than 6 months into the season he doesn't.
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BoredWithThisNow added 16:51 - May 23 B*gger off to Palace d!psh1t, if you can't be @rsed to make your mind up by now then jog on.
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ITFCforlife added 17:04 - May 23 off topic but Guzan has just been released by Villa
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jas0999 added 17:24 - May 23 Perhaps I am being harsh - but either he a) wants to leave Pompey or he doesn't b) if he does want to leave - he must surely have had enough time to know where he wants to go? The deal in January broke down because he wanted too much money - not because he wanted to stay at Pompey and fight relegation! Really hope he chooses us though - as he would be an excellent signing.

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bluey123 added 17:32 - May 23 How many of you people who think he is so good have actually seen him play OK at best from someone who has seen him
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SchancheITFC added 17:43 - May 23 Palace chairman said weeks ago Clyne is already gone and a replacement has already been sorted so doubt its Ward, they had a right-back on loan earlier in the season who is more likely the player he is talking about.
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ArnieM added 17:52 - May 23 I don't think Joel will be joining us . I get the impression he doesn't want to be too far from home!Which makes Palace favourites for his signature.
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BigAlsMate added 18:14 - May 23 Wake me up when the summer is over and all this nonsense is done with! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
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h32 added 18:26 - May 23 Reality check - evidence of how attractive we are as a Club now to potential signings. If the 'other five' or so 'prospective signings' aren't any easier to convince - then we really are shot to bits. Of course two weeks before the season starts there'll be a few gerihatricks lurking agin waiting to pounce on that final contract - so all will not be lost !!! And some of you will think I'm joking ............ I'm not.

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h32 added 18:28 - May 23 ............... just testing !! - left an 'a' out of 'again'.
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StuartBrett8 added 18:42 - May 23 Are we after any freebies? Must be a few about (just saying) :)
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h32 added 18:43 - May 23 Paulsimmons - agree with you - but what is / has there been to sing about ???. Even a Canary doesn't sing unless it's happy. What you've done, quite rightly, is highlighted ALL the reasons why we don't.
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airliner added 19:04 - May 23 Not be funny but would you really come itfc when some other cluc are offering more money, forget the chance of promotion but players are just in it for the money now , no loyalty or the badge just a pay day now its the way football has gone. Its all now just how much money they have got offfered they are some times brainless. Its league one improvers for us i fear , but some can be really good with the right manager!

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Talbs77 added 19:57 - May 23 I'll be retired by the time he decides!!! Still, hope he signs, finally a defender!!!!!!!
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TimmyH added 20:03 - May 23 zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz - yawn! (open one eye) back to sleep yawn zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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essexboy added 20:10 - May 23 if he can`t make his mind up now he is not worth having.must be holding out for most money.time waster.!!
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Joetown95 added 08:19 - May 24 I hope he signs
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Monkey_Blue added 15:30 - May 28 The lad is 22..... London is a big pull. It's ok saying he's interested in this that and the other career wise. He's never going to say its the nightlife, shops etc but I moved to London at 23 thinking it was a great place to be. If I wasn't a town fan( I'm from notts) I perhaps wouldn't think Suffolk was a great place and as beautiful as some parts are at that age it wouldn't appeal. That's not to say it's the correct choice... But keep in mind His age and the fact he has no emotional ties to Ipswich. If it was the burley pre prem days he'd probably have jumped at the chance to sign for us... In fact the jim days wold have appealed to him but we have been bottom half most of the last 5 seasons

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