Appy: Prized-assets will be prised away

Jason Pearce capped a superb campaign by being voted The News/Sports Mail Pompey Player of the Season.

But boss Michael Appleton is convinced the central defender won’t be at Fratton Park for life in League One.

The Blues skipper swept the board in the end-of-year honours, presented before Saturday’s defeat to Derby – scooping seven of the nine supporter-group awards up for grabs.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It was in recognition of a debut season, when Pearce has made 44 appearances, scoring twice, and claimed the captaincy.

The 24-year-old, who was the subject of several bids in January, is currently attracting interest from Leeds.

And Appleton expects him to leave this summer, along with Joel Ward, as Pompey look to cash in on their most valuable players.

‘Administrator Trevor Birch has gone on record to say there is enough money in the pot to take us up to the end of May, but things need to be done very, very quickly to ensure the club goes beyond that,’ said Appleton.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘The easy and quickest way of doing that are selling your assets – and our assets at the minute are the ones on the playing field.

‘It is obvious at some point they will be sold.

‘I think Jason is certainly one of the assets we have got on the field of play and I will be very surprised if he is here next season.

‘He and Joel Ward have attracted offers from the Championship this season so you would think they’ll go.

‘You wouldn’t have to be a brain surgeon to work that one out.

‘They have been fantastic for the football club, and if they do go on and further their career elsewhere, I wish them the very best because they have been good for us.’

– NEIL ALLEN