Portsmouth administrator Trevor Birch says the relegated crisis club are already in transfer talks with other Championship sides who are interested in signing their players over the summer. The Blues have been chasing centre-half Jason Pearce and full-back or midfielder Joel Ward (pictured) since January.

Birch says the reality is that players need to be sold for Pompey to survive with discussions regarding moves under way with one game of the season still to play: “We have had conversations with a couple of clubs and have received interest in Jason Pearce.

“We are still talking, however. There are still things to be sorted. As it stands, we are actively talking to a number of agents and clubs. We have to reduce the wage bill for the club to survive, it is as simple as that.”

The Blues had offers accepted for Ward and keeper Stephen Henderson on the final day of the January transfer window, while bids from Town and others for Pearce were rebuffed.

The Ward and Henderson deals broke down over personal terms with the former Irish U21 international keeper subsequently joining West Ham on loan with a view to a permanent deal.

Ward held talks with Blues manager Paul Jewell in March, while Pearce, Pompey’s Player of the Year, has recently been linked with Leeds, who reports suggest are currently the favourites for his signature.

Photo: Action Images

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