Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley makes Marcus Harness admission ahead of huge game at Ipswich

The Blues boss admitted he would have preferred the winger to have moved to a Championship side in the summer instead of a promotion rival and the favourites for the third-tier title.

But Cowley added the finances involved helped to convince him of the move.

After triggering a 12-month extension in the 26-year-old’s contract, Harness left Fratton Park in July for a fee believed to be in the region of £750,000.

His departure after three seasons represented a huge loss for the Blues, with Harness scoring 31 goals and creating 21 in 134 appearances.

Yet it allowed Cowley to add much needed quality and depth to his ranks, with 12 new recruits added to the squad during the summer.

The manager is already seeing the benefits of that calculated decision, with Pompey currently sitting third in the League One table with an unbeaten record.

The Blues could also leapfrog the second-placed Tractor Boys with victory at Portman Road – they also have a game in hand on today’s hosts.

Harness & Co will be trying their best to avoid that scenario.

But Cowley remains convinced that letting the Republic of Ireland hopeful head to the big-spending Portman Road outfit was a sacrifice worth making.

Speaking to The News, he said: ‘They (Ipswich) have had the opportunity to be able to recruit some of the best players from their rivals – you know, they’ve taken Marcus Harness from us, who was a key player last year.

‘It wouldn’t have been our preference to sell to one of our rivals but when we looked at the finances involved and the rewards for us, we decided to focus on us rather than worry about our opponent.

‘It was a really good piece of business for us and it allowed us to improve as a team.’

Heading into today’s game, Harness has scored five goals in 12 appearances for Kieran McKenna’s side.