Cotterill keen to keep Nugent

Nugent: Uncertain future

Steve Cotterill is hoping Portsmouth officials can persuade David Nugent to pen a new contract.

The striker's current deal at Fratton Park is set to expire at the end of the season, at which point he would become a free agent.

Pompey are reluctant to see him leave for nothing and it has been suggested that they may look to cash in on the former Preston man in January.

Cotterill, though, would prefer to put the whole issue to one side and see Nugent agree fresh terms.

He is, however, relying on others to reach an agreement, with the 25-year-old's future now resting in the hands of chief executive David Lampitt and joint-owners Balram Chainrai and Levi Kushnir.

Conversation

"As far as Nuge's contract goes, that one is not with me," Cotterill told The News.

"I have made no secret that I want him to stay, definitely.

"It is out of my hands and I would hope that has been a conversation others have had by now. I just hope it will be sorted and Nuge will be staying with us.

"I want him to remain here, for sure."

Speculation ahead of the January transfer window has suggested that Wigan and Blackpool have expressed an interest in Nugent, who has scored five goals in 11 appearances for Pompey this term.