Jason Pearce has revealed his delight to be staying at Fratton Park after Portsmouth rejected the advances of Ipswich on transfer deadline day.

A host of clubs were keen to sign the highly-rated centre-back and Pearce admits he thought he may have to be sold to ease Pompey's well-documented cash crisis. But the south-coast club stood firm, with Ipswich believed to have made a fourth January bid for his services as the deadline approached.

Pearce told the Portsmouth News: "I have to admit, I thought there could have been a chance I could have been going. 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. All I have heard is they rejected bids from three or four different clubs. Ipswich were one of them. There were other clubs, but it doesn't matter who they are.

"The manager made it very clear he didn't want to let me go and I was keen to stay. 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."

Meanwhile, it is understood Pompey duo Joel Ward and Stephen Henderson rejected moves to Portman Road after a deal in the region of £1million was finally agreed for the pair.