IPSWICH Town’s chances of signing Jason Pearce, Joel Ward and Stephen Henderson might have been strengthened after it was revealed Portsmouth players and staff would not be paid this month.

Reports from the South Coast have claimed the club’s funds have been frozen by HMRC and that staff would not be paid their January wages.

It couldn’t have come at a worse time for Pompey with one day left of the January transfer window and Town among the clubs interested in making cut-price offers for their squad.

Blues boss Paul Jewell today appeared to accept defeat in his hopes of signing the trio – but admitted he was still in the hunt for one or two of the targets from their divisional rivals. It remains to be seen whether the latest twist in the Pompey saga changes this.

According to the Portsmouth News, administrator Andrew Andronikou revealed the club’s bank account was frozen last Wednesday following the publication of the winding-up petition in the London Gazette.

He added: “It’s a logistical issue. The winding-up petition has left us in a situation whereby the club’s bank account is currently frozen and, as a result, players’ and staff wages have not been paid for January.

“We plan to get a validation order approved by the court tomorrow to address this.”