Neal Ardley has emphatically denied that AFC Wimbledon are chasing Portsmouth striker Matt Tubbs.

After admitting he would be delighted to have Tubbs back at the Cherry Red Records stadium, Ardley added that his budget would not allow it.

Pompey boss Paul Cook has taken that to mean the Dons are chasing the 31-year-old and then suggesting that the Dons should make their move.

He told the Portsmouth News: "Wimbledon have a lot to say, so maybe people should be asking them what they want to do about Matt Tubbs.” 

However, Ardley has no intention of re-signing him.

“I don’t think Portsmouth are happy with me, I did not say in any way, shape or form that I was going after Matt Tubbs,” Ardley said.

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“I was asked the question after the game on Saturday because Matt Tubbs was available, and my response was ‘Of course, any one would like Matt Tubbs in their team because at this level he is a brilliant goal-scorer, but I doubt I can afford him and I doubt that opportunity will present itself’.

“I was quite dismissive about it, and somehow it’s turned into that I am chasing him, and now Portsmouth are making comments that Wimbledon are making lots of noise so why don’t they back it up. But that is not what was said.”

He added: “We are not chasing him, absolutely not.”