IPSWICH Town expect to hear in the next 48 hours if their bids for Portsmouth duo Jason Pearce and Joel Ward have been successful.

Following Paul Jewell’s new youth policy, the Blues hope to sign the defensive duo to bolster a beleaguered backline which has been leaking goals at an alarming rate.

Pearce, 24, is a no-nonsense centre back with a big reputation who only signed for Pompey in the summer for �500,000 from Bournemouth.

Ward, 22, is a versatile defender/midfielder who can play either right back, centre back or on either wing. Standing 5ft 9ins tall, he’s scored twice this season for Pompey.

Insiders at the cash-strapped Championship club believe that it would take a big offer from the Blues to persuade Pompey to part with the pair.

The third player Town have bid for, a teenager, has yet to be named. Contrary to some reports, it is not Southend’s Kane Ferdinand.

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