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Pearce relieved to stay

Image: Jason Pearce: Pleased to stay at Fratton Park

Portsmouth defender Jason Pearce admits he was relieved when the transfer deadline passed and he was still at Fratton Park.

Pompey manage to hold onto defender despite big offers

Portsmouth defender Jason Pearce admits he was relieved when the transfer deadline passed and he was still at Fratton Park. It appeared that the 24-year-old was on his way out of the club on Tuesday as Ipswich made an offer for Pearce before various Championship rivals registered interest. Pearce was one of three Portsmouth players on the brink of leaving the club as they aim to pay their outstanding £1.6 million tax bill but Stephen Henderson and Joel Ward also turned down moves to Ipswich following a reported £1million offer. The transfer window closed on a positive note for Portsmouth with only Ryan Williams leaving the club and former Bournemouth man Pearce is delighted to remain at Fratton Park. "I have to admit, I thought there could have been a chance I could have been going," he told The News.

Staying

"My head has been all over the place over the past couple of days. I didn't want to go but I thought I may be forced out because of the club's problems. "Luckily, though, the club wanted to keep me. People already know I wanted to stay and be part of hopefully a good future at the club." Pearce, who made the switch from Bournemouth in the summer, has established himself as a first-team regular making 26 appearance for the club and admits he is grateful the manager opted to keep him. "The manager made it very clear he didn't want to let me go and I was keen to stay," he added. "I knew it might not have come down to my decision with the club needing funds. Thankfully, I'm still here, though, which is just what I wanted."

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