Ipswich chasing Ward

Ipswich manager Paul Jewell says defender Joel Ward is eager to join the club, after renewing his interest in the Portsmouth player.

The Tractor Boys boss tried to sign both Ward and fellow Pompey defender Jason Pearce in January, only to have the bids rejected as the south coast club tried to fight off relegation, which ended last weekend as they dropped into League One. With Pompey's financial struggles ongoing, the club are likely to offload a host of players with Ward being eyed again by Ipswich. "Certainly Joel Ward would fit our bill. He is young, versatile and I think he wants to come here," said Jewell when questioned about a move for the 22-year-old and his team-mate Pearce. "I've had an agent call me on behalf of a couple of players there," he said. "I've passed that onto [owner] Marcus Evans, it's no big secret we made an offer for Joel Ward, but I think Pearce is going to Leeds."