MillwallÂ knock back Portsmouth move for Ben Thompson

Pompey made a move to sign Ben Thompson permanently. Photo by Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.com.

Pompey have been told Ben Thompson is not for sale.

Assistant manager Joe Gallen has confirmed the Blues have been rebuffed in a bid to sign Thompson on a permanent basis by Millwall.

Pompey remain '˜desperate' to see the midfielder stay at Fratton Park, however, and Gallen expects his immediate future to be resolved early next week.

Thompson is available for the FA Cup trip to Norwich this weekend after an outstanding loan stay this term.

But the window for the 23-year-old to be recalled by his parent club runs from January 6-20, with the expectation he will be taken back by Lions boss Neil Harris.

Pompey asked the question over whether a permanent deal could be engineered.

After being knocked back in that request, they now face a nervous waiting game to see whether the key man to their success this term stays.

Gallen said: '˜He (Thompson) is not for sale. We've asked and he's not for sale. That's that.