Luke Varney vows to stay with Pompey

Portsmouth forward Luke Varney has insisted that he will stick the rest of the season out with the south-coasters after returning from injury despite the clubs financial worries.

Off the field financial difficulties have marred Portsmouth’s campaign this year and the club were docked ten points after entering administration at the turn of the year, this in turn led to the club losing key players Stephen Henderson, Hayden Mullins, Erik Huseklepp and Liam Lawrence.

But Varney will not be joining the exodus of players for the time being, a timely boost for Michael Appleton ahead of the clubs final push to avoid relegation down to league 1.

Despite a three month lay-off the 29-year old was subjected to interest from Championship rivals Nottingham Forest who failed in an attempt to bring the striker to the City Ground. However Varney intends to stick out the rest of the season with the Fratton Park outfit.

"I've heard bits and bobs, but the gaffer made it clear that he has offloaded those that he wanted to and that we are now in a good position financially to get to the end of the season," Varney told Sky Sports.

"We've got a good group of players still here and we are all focused on ending the season strongly.

"I've recently come back from a lengthy spell out through injury, so I'm hoping to stay here and play as many games as I can to help Portsmouth get out of the mess we are in.

"On a personal note, I haven't heard anything concrete, so I've not given much thought to leaving really.

"I've started to hit the ball properly in training now and it is the best I've felt since the injury.

"It has taken me three games to get back into the swing of things, but I guess that is understandable considering that I was out for three months out.

"I feel that I am back to my best now and looking forward to showing that in the upcoming games."

@simonblaquiere1

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