Pearce and Halford on their way as sales hot up

And Greg Halford is set to follow the Pompey player of the season out the door next week.

Pearce was left out of the team in today’s 2-0 loss at Forest as part of the terms of his move to Elland Road.

And Halford has more than one club chasing his services as the Pompey fire sale gathers pace.

Ipswich are hopeful of landing Joel Ward, who appears to have played his last game for his hometown club.

And fans’ favourite Erik Huseklepp is edging close to a return to Norwegian football with SK Brann.

Michael Appleton admitted it was a relief to put a tough season to bed with his side playing their last Championship fixture.

He is now looking to move forward and plan for the future.

Appleton said: ‘My feeling at the game was probably more relief, really.

‘Relief we’ve got to the end of the season, time to draw a line under it and look forward hopefully to a brighter future.

‘The fans were fantastic today and credit to the players, I thought they had a right go. We had some young players and it was a little bit of a mix and match team in terms we had players playing in unfamiliar roles at times.

‘We also had four Academy kids on the bench and that is where we are at the minute.

‘So fair play to them.

‘We have lost the first goal by a little lapse in concentration and young Karim gave Blackstock a free header for the goal.

‘But I can’t fault them for effort today and it’s now time to look ahead.’