JOEL Ward has admitted that he expects to leave relegated Portsmouth this summer.

But the versatile 22-year-old has stopped short of commenting on links with Ipswich Town as Paul Jewell steps up his hunt for new players this week.

The Town boss admitted on Saturday that Blues owner Marcus Evans would be looking to open negotiations with Ward who is likely to have other clubs interested in him.

The player himself is expected to follow Jason Pearce out of the cash-strapped South Coast club, the centre-back joining divisional rivals Leeds United, while Greg Halford is also expected to leave in the coming days.

Speaking after Portsmouth’s final game of the season, Ward admitted: “I don’t know what’s going on. The club have said there will have to be players that have to leave.

“But it’s not in my hands. I don’t know (if my future lies elsewhere). I’ve been here a long time. I’ve started my career here and had great times here.

“I’ve played a lot of football and a lot of games. It’s a fantastic club to be at. In a perfect world nothing would have happened at the club.

“But football has twists and turns and you have to take that and deal with it.”