Pulis throws in Nugent towel March 18 2008
Stoke boss Tony Pulis has conceded defeat in his bid to sign out-of-favour Portsmouth striker David Nugent.
Pulis had expressed an interest in taking Nugent on loan for the remainder of the season to aid the Championship leaders' promotion push.
The 50-year-old Welshman revealed last week that he had made a formal enquiry about the availability of the former Preston ace, who is well down the pecking order at Fratton Park.
But Pulis has now been forced to look elsewhere after admitting that the 22-year-old is set to remain at the south coast club.
"We've tried all week to get him, but I think Pompey want to keep him now," Pulis told Radio Stoke.
Nugent has only managed four starts for Pompey in the Premier League since his £6million summer switch from North End and he has also been linked with Ipswich in recent weeks.