New Portsmouth boss Steve Cotterill wants to keep hold of West Ham United target Paul Groves.

Blues coach Paul Groves is wanted by Avram Grant at Upton Park.

But Cotterill told The News: "I'd love Grovesie to stay.

"I had a chat with him on Thursday night to which I said to him I am in no sort of hurry for a decision. I will chat to him again sometime over the weekend, maybe the beginning of next week. There will be no pressure from me.

"I know him from way back. We have probably known each other now for 22-23 years, so we know each other very well. He is definitely somebody I would like to keep here, but if he goes then he goes with my best wishes. He's been a fantastic servant.

"Hopefully that's not the case, though.

"West Ham made an offer to him, but he wanted to wait and see what was going on here. Now that is clearer with me being appointed and the CVA being granted.

"Grovesie's been first-team coach here for a long time, though."