Redknapp hints at Nugent exit

Dead_Man_Inc

29 Aug 07, 18:07

David Nugent's first goal for Portsmouth sealed a Carling Cup victory over Leeds but his days at the club seem numbered after Harry Redknapp hinted he is ready to sell the Â£6million striker just a month after signing him.

Nugent, 22, made no secret of his ambition to join boyhood idols Everton when he knew the time had finally arrived to leave Preston.

But the Merseysiders were apparently scared off by the price and Sunderland also dropped out when the one-cap England forward would not commit himself to them.

But Redknapp, who this summer was uncertain about the future of Kanu and veteran Andy Cole, charmed Liverpudlian Nugent into settling for Pompey after Preston refused to let him join Derby where their former boss Billy Davies is in charge.

Redknapp has dreamed of signing at least one of Ayegbeni Yakubu from Middlesbrough, Nicolas Anelka from Bolton or Tottenham's Jermain Defoe before Friday's transfer deadline but has already spent nearly all Portsmouth's television revenue, and admitted Derby still want Nugent.

And after two unlikely goals by defender Noe Pamarot and Nugent's 85th-minute effort against Leeds, the Pompey manager said: 'Sometimes when you are trying to raise money you have to sell someone you don't really want to sell.

'That could be David but then again it could be others. What we need is somebody who can get us 15 to 20 goals a season and if we can do some good business and improve the team we will.'

Redknapp's remarks came via Sky Sports News after he stayed away from the usual post-match media briefing, sending instead coach Joe Jordan who, answering questions about Nugent's future at Fratton Park, admitted: 'I don't know.

He added: 'I was glad for him when he scored. You could see his reaction and that of the fans who are not putting any pressure on him, but there is so much speculation going on and only some of it is true.

'It has put an extra burden on him and I think it will be good for David when the transfer market is over. Then he can get on and realise where his future is.'

Leeds assistant boss Gus Poyet is almost certain to find himself in trouble with the Football Association after saying just seconds after the final whistle: 'Andy D'Urso as a referee is not good enough. I don't want to see him at a Leeds match again.

'It is personal and sad. He can't forget some of the things that happened when Dennis (Wise) and me were players and it has continued into management.'

ErikaChioBu

29 Aug 07, 18:15