Stoke have ended their bid to sign misfit Portsmouth striker David Nugent after boss Tony Pulis admitted he expects the striker to stay on the South Coast.

The Championship leaders had hoped to sign Nugent on loan for the rest of the season to bolster their promotion bid.

Nugent, who is well down the pecking order at Portsmouth after signing in a £6 million deal in the summer, had also attracted the interest of Ipswich in recent weeks but was criticised by the Tractor Boys after allegedly failing to return calls from boss Jim Magilton.

However, it seems Nugent will be staying at Fratton Park with Pulis conceding defeat in his bid to sign the once-capped England international.

"We've tried all week to get him, but I think Pompey want to keep him now," Pulis told Radio Stoke.

Stoke are top of the Championship, level on points with Bristol City.

Eurosport