Appleton hopes for Maguire stay

Portsmouth manager, Michael Appleton, hopes that his proposal to keep Chris Maguire on the South Coast for the rest of the season will be agreed by the Football League.

Maguire, on loan from Derby County, has scored 2 goals for Pompey, and his current boss hopes that he will remain at Fratton Park until the end of the season to help with Portsmouth's relegation dogfight.

Speaking to The News, the former West Brom coach said: 'Hopefully, we can keep Chris until the end of the season, although obviously the Football League need to let it be renewed.

'I am always worried that teams might want my players back but, hopefully, that won't be the situation. He couldn't get in their team in the first place.'

'The original agreement was to have him for the rest of the season. They were quite happy for him to stay until the end of the season, so I would be disappointed if they go back on their word.'

'I tried to get him in January but it didn't quite happen. Then again a lot sooner than we actually did but for whatever reason it didn't happen.'

'But I am glad he is here now. He's enjoying his football and the opportunity to show he is a talent.'

@georgepowell8