Boss Paul Jewell has confirmed that the Blues are in talks with Joel Ward’s agent about the 22-year-old Portsmouth defender or midfielder moving to Portman Road this summer. However, the Town manager expects January target Jason Pearce to sign for Leeds United.

Jewell said: “I think Pearce is going to Leeds, I think that’s done. The agent rang me [on Wednesday] about Joel Ward and I’ve just passed that on to Marcus.

“The player interests us and I met him here about six weeks ago, showed him around and had a good conversation.

“He was keen to come, then Portsmouth beat Birmingham and decided to keep players until after the loan deadline.

“Obviously it’s gone pear-shaped for them and his agent rang me. I don’t know how strong the interest is from any other clubs.”

In January, the Blues agreed fees with Pompey for Ward and keeper Stephen Henderson, who subsequently joined West Ham, but the moves broke down over personal terms. Town and others had offers turned down for Pearce.

Jewell, who believes the player is keen on the switch, says the success of the Ward move is likely to depend on whether a fee can be agreed with newly-relegated Pompey:  “That will be down to whether or not we can do a deal with Portsmouth.”

Meanwhile, Jewell has revealed to the BBC that he was due to speak to a goalkeeper yesterday afternoon with Birmingham's Colin Doyle linked last night and Manchester United's Tomasz Kuszczak on the Blues' summer wish list.

Elsewhere, a not overly-convincing report in Yorkshire claims the Blues and Hull have joined Leeds in showing interest in Doncaster's El-Hadji Diouf.

Photo: Action Images

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