Ward sticking with South Coast

Joel Ward wants to stay focused on getting Portsmouth out of their relegation scrap, instead of engineering a loan move to East Anglia to play for Ipswich Town.

The Englishman met Ipswich representatives last week to discuss a possible loan move to raise funds for financially stricken Portsmouth.

After Pompey offloaded other players, though, Ward was able to remain in Hampshire.

Now the fight against the drop is the 22 year olds main concern.

Speaking to The News, Ward said: 'I don't really want to focus on that.

'I'm here to play my football for Portsmouth and that's where I want to be.

'I am going to continue to give everything I've got.

'My focus is on trying to keep the club in this league. I just want to focus on the football, help the club out and keep pushing forward.'

The Portsmouth born player will hope that he can help keep his home town club in the Championship this season.

@georgepowell8