Nugent set for move away from Portsmouth?

When asked after Portsmouth’s last game, a FA Cup victory at Preston’s Deepdale ground, Harry Redknapp denied speculation linking former Lilywhites stiker David Nugent with a return to his former hunting ground, or to fellow Championship side Ipswich.

The Pompey boss claimed, “No, it wouldn’t be a clever move would it? We paid a lot of money for him and wouldn’t let him come back for nothing.”

So with Redknapp telling Sky Sports at Fratton Park this afternoon that the one-time capped England international is ‘free to leave’, what has changed that has paved the way for the £6 million striker to possibly leave a side gunning for a European spot?

After all, Redknapp admitted that his striking options are limited to Kanu, on-loan Milan Baros and cup-tied Jermaine Defoe, and has even been forced to play John Utaka in an unnatural position up-front. So why then the sudden change of heart?

Nuge has not had the best start to his Portsmouth career with not a single Premier League goal to his name and has only just recovered from a hernia operation. Redknapp has said that a deal is close to being agreed with Ipswich to take Nugent to Portman Road so that he can gain some match fitness.

Is this the end of Nugent’s Premier League career, or is it just as Harry said and a move to regain sharpness? I think Nugent has a lot to offer Pompey and can be a hit in the Premier League as he is a good goal scorer. However, in the short term I do not think he will move to Ipswich. He was in the stands for the FA Cup game, and is great friends with Preston players such as Sean St. Ledger. Therefore, a move back to Preston looks the most likely. Whilst there may no be official bid from the Lancashire club, I believe Nugent will wait for an offer and get back to Deepdale at the earliest opportunity.

I feel as though Preston are in desperate need for a natural goal scorer and this could maybe inspire the club to climb away from the relegation area. He is adored by the Deepdale fans and they could be heard chanting their heroes name at the FA Cup match last Sunday. The fans want him back, Alan Irvine I am sure would want him back, and admittedly I want him back. It really would give the club a real buzz and would create a better competition for places in the striking position. But could the temptation to help Ipswich possibly gain promotion too big a lure for Nugent? Hopefully not.