Promising midfielder has come through the youth ranks at Fratton Park and had a successful loan spell with Bournemouth during the 2008/09 season.

Ward made his first-team debut for the Blues in a Carling Cup victory over Hereford in August 2009 and then made three Premier League appearances later in the season.

Thurst into the first team under Steve Cotterill in the Championship, Ward excelled, making 46 appearances and scoring three goals, while proving his versatility by playing out wide and behind a lone striker as well as in defence.