Ipswich target Joel Ward has NOT had a medical at Championship rivals Crystal Palace, despite rumours to the contrary.

But TWTD can reveal that the South London club have been told by the player's representatives that the £500,000-rated Portsmouth utility man is set to end the long-running transfer saga and decide over the weekend which club he is going to join.

A source close to the Eagles said: "There is no truth in the rumours that Ward has already had a medical at Palace. They are still waiting to hear which club he will be joining.

"All they know at this stage is that it has become a two-horse race between themselves and another Championship club, which could or could not be Ipswich."

The fact that Town have yet to receive a response to the take-it-or-leave-it offer made by club owner Marcus Evans several weeks ago, when 22-year-old Ward visited Portman Road and the training ground for discussions, suggests they remain in contention to sign him.

But despite reports that Leeds are out of the running TWTD understands the position at Elland Road is that they must first sell a player before being able to conclude a deal for Ward.

If boss Neil Warnock is able to raise the much-needed cash over the next couple of days he could move quickly to reunite Ward with his former Fratton Park colleague, central defender Jason Pearce, another player who was on Town boss Paul Jewell's wanted list.

Leeds' position could explain why Ward has waited so long to decide where his future lies, although it now seems the player is close to finally revealing which club has won the race for his signature.

Photo: Action Images

DanLyles added 13:48 - May 25 Zzzzzzz
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Sindre94 added 13:49 - May 25 I really want this lad, quick, energetic and YOUNG! I doubt it though, so typical if he signs for Palace or Blackpool or something. We are bigger clubs than both of those 2 and burnley. I dont see what hes waiting for. Although I will be honoured and proud if he signs for us, a compliment to the club.
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Sindre94 added 13:50 - May 25 We are a bigger club*
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Seasonticketsteve added 13:52 - May 25 Are TWTD and the Evening star having a pissing competition at the min??? With regards to Ward, I would like to think that if the lad has any ambition then he will come here, think the only thing that will go against us is that Palace are closer to his family, if its for football reasons then surely we should win the race for this signature here!
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dvdkev added 13:52 - May 25 this is becoming the most boring transfer saga ever !!!!!!
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Sindre94 added 13:55 - May 25 Biggest transfer sagas ever: Tevez and Ward. Quite similar those two, eh? hahaha
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xrayspecs added 13:55 - May 25 If he wanted to sign, I would have imagined he would have done so by now. It reads as though his preference is to stay at Pompey and if he really has to move then Leeds.
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PYBlue added 14:01 - May 25 I really hope he doesn't sign! If he wanted to sign for us would have done it ages ago
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uppersirbob added 14:03 - May 25 Thought he was making his mind up last weekend or was it the weekend before that
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raycrawfordswig added 14:03 - May 25 1234567890-/
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roytheboy added 14:08 - May 25 What will be will be, frankly I could not care less, if he does not feel happy about joining our club then he should not join it, if he was keen then he would already be with us, perhaps it would be better all round if he goes to Palace, although my gut feeling is that he is still hoping to join Leeds !
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Dave_Kitson added 14:12 - May 25 He clearly does not want to come so just either get the deal done or tell him to go elsewhere , board of this guy already... we should look to get dave kitson in instead
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alliedaz added 14:15 - May 25 gosh if this person was worth £30m it wud be gr8 but come ward wot do you want or expect and plenty more players out there who would want to play footi for a new team
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Jesney_Havoc added 14:15 - May 25 Ward bored ! Next ?
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Stato added 14:16 - May 25 I hope he doesn't sign as clearly he doesn't want to be here and no doubt will jump at the first chance he gets to move on. He is 22 not 12 so I question his level of ambition if he wants to stay close to his family. It was right that we bid for the 3 Pompey lads back in Jan but he was always the rump end of that potential deal.
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bournemouthblue added 14:21 - May 25 Crystal Palace would be a poor move imho but I guess it's better located to Portsmouth
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footyblue added 14:21 - May 25 he obviously doesn't want to come here so why bother chasing him
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riley26 added 14:35 - May 25 The notion that we are 'chasing' him seems an over exaggeration. Each day that goes by is slightly frustrating for us fans but a take it or leave it offer is hardly chasing. We wanted him in January, and we have made a fresh offer now and left it up to him. The way some people talk make it sound like Jewell is a nagging old girlfriend ringing him up every day pleading with him to join us.

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jas0999 added 14:37 - May 25 Can't help but feel he will only join us if it's the last and final option available to him. Hope I'm wrong - but turned us down in January and has had several weeks to agree to joining us - if he was that keen he would have decided to join by now.
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bluey420 added 14:40 - May 25 1 of the biggest transfer saga's in Ipswich recent history we tried in January: he wanted too much money then again on emergency loan didn't happen n now 4 at least 2/3 weeks its Leeds 1 min then Blackpool now Palace why can't we see he doesn't want too play 4 r club: move on n if Sheff Utd fail tomoz sign M.Lowton
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BoredWithThisNow added 14:44 - May 25 This is so much fun, I do hope there's lots more installments to come. Everytime my iPhone buzzes I can't wait to see if the chosen one has deemed from on high that he will honour our lowly club and join us.
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delias_cheesy_flaps added 14:45 - May 25 I couldn't give two f*cks if he signs as long as he decides to do something for definite! I for one am sick & tired of reading about this footballing god :)
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andygizmo added 14:47 - May 25 It will be Leeds!
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Michael11 added 14:58 - May 25 This has dragged on far too long now, if he wanted to join us he would have by now, almost certain he will join Palace. Definately following the crowd who say Lowton should be next target, he's every bit as good as Ward anyway.
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gypo added 15:02 - May 25 Oh my fecking god i`m p!ssing myself with excitment !!! who is this player? what`s he like anyone seen him play ? totally out of the blue this one wow.
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