Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Portsmouth in U-turn over Jamie Ashdown
FORGOTTEN keeper Jamie Ashdown is finally poised to become Portsmouth’s first choice following David James’ decision to turn his back on Fratton Park.
James will hold talks with Celtic manager Neil Lennon today over a move to the SPL after rejecting Pompey’s efforts to keep him at the club.
He had been offered a new one-year deal and the chance to take his coaching badges under new Pompey boss Steve Cotterill.
The decision means Ashdown, 29, will become Cotterill’s first choice, just weeks after being told he was no longer needed.
He had spent six years at Fratton Park as understudy, but was released in June when his contract ran out.
However, he was immediately recalled for Pompey’s pre-season trip to the United States and Canada, and will be offered a new contract this week.
Cotterill said: “Jamie has been superb. He is a great lad, and has spent a long time being a No2 here. Everybody knows I am a big admirer of David James, but I needed an answer.
“We need a keeper, and David had a few other things he was looking at so we needed to move on.”