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 £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.'
