THE ball is very much in David Nugent's court today as he decides on whether to join Ipswich Town on loan, after getting the go-ahead from Portsmouth.

Derek Davis

THE ball is very much in David Nugent's court today as he decides on whether to join Ipswich Town on loan, after getting the go-ahead from Portsmouth.

Pompey boss Harry Redknapp yesterday agreed the one-time England striker would be allowed to leave Fratton Park until the end of the season and indicated he would also be willing to sell Nugent.

The 22-year-old striker has suffered a slight set back after a hernia operation and has a tear in an abductor muscle which is expected to take around a week to heal.

That will give Nugent plenty of thinking time with Magilton and Preston boss Alan Irvine who is also interested in taking him on loan, waiting for an answer, although early indications are Town are in pole position as they would be able to make the move more permanent.

Pompey paid £6m for the former Preston star and he would need to have helped Ipswich to Premiership promotion before Town would consider making a club record transfer fee for any players.

Redknapp said: “We felt David needs to play and it was something that was of interest.

"He's a couple of days away from full fitness, when he's fit I'll have a chat with him - if he's fancies it then it's a possibility."

"He just wanted to see when he was fit and wanted to discuss it with his agent so I've left it with them."

We revealed at the beginning of February that Magilton would swoop for Nugent but wanted to wait until he had recovered from his operation. That tied in neatly with going beyond today, which means he will be able to appear in the play-off final on May 22, should Town be in it.

Magilton confirmed his interest in Nugent and sees him, and his undoubted goal-scoring abilities, as another key component in the push for the Premiership, so was understandably pleased to get the green light from Redknapp.

Magilton said: “I'm delighted that Portsmouth have given the go ahead. It is now down to David who has a big decision to make. “We also need to make sure he gets himself right to come here so we are not expecting anything to happen for a few days yet.”

Nugent's arrival will add competition to the existing strikers, especially Alan Lee who is a similar player, but could pace the way for Lee to leave in the summer if a bid agreeable to player and club were received.

Lee was the subject of interest from Hull City last summer and Burnley in the January window.