Defender Pim Balkestein says he will look to remain in the Championship next season despite enjoying his time with loan club Brentford. The Dutchman’s two-year contract with Town is up in the summer.

Balkestein said: "I was out of the team at Ipswich for a long time so it's good to be playing games. I'm out of contract in the summer so it's up to me to show what I can do and hopefully some clubs will see me.

"Brentford is a good contender for next year, but I'll see what options are available. I'm keen to stay in the Championship if possible. I've proved myself at that level in my first and second year at Ipswich."

When the former Heerenveen man rejoined the Bees on loan last month the League One side said a fee for a permanent summer deal had been agreed with the Blues, reportedly £100,000, suggesting that Town had taken up their option of a third year on the 22-year-old's contract.

However, the centre-half’s comments are likely to mean that compensation due as he is under 24 years of age has been agreed with the Bees rather than a fee ahead of a potential summer permanent move.

Meanwhile, right-back Liam Rosenior says he isn’t concerned about being out of contract in the summer. The 25-year-old is on loan at Town from Saturday’s opponents Reading with his deal at the Madejski Stadium up at the end of June.

Rosenior told the club site: "I'm not sure where my future will be but I'm not worried about it. I have played for two great clubs in Ipswich and Reading and we will see what happens in the summer.

"Some 18 months ago, I expected and in some ways wanted to be in this position at this stage. Living on the edge so to speak can bring out the best in you."

The ex-England U21 international isn’t surprised that the Royals are putting in a late charge towards the play-offs: "I always felt that Reading and us had the players to put a run together and climb the table and I felt it was probably more likely to be us.

"We've just not been able to find that consistency but Reading are certainly in a rich vein of form at the moment and they will come to Portman Road in confident mood."

Last week, Town boss Roy Keane said it was unlikely that any new contracts would be offered until after the season has ended.

Photo: Action Images

jas0999 added 09:21 - Apr 1 Offer Rosenior a contract. Sell Pim if possible.
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jamie22 added 09:23 - Apr 1 If we just sign Rosenior and Murphy I will be happy!
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SWGF added 10:01 - Apr 1 "I'm keen to stay in the Championship if possible. I've proved myself at that level", says Pim. Really?
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el_nino added 11:08 - Apr 1 Sounds like he's resigned himself to the fact that he won't be getting a contract here....
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campowasgod added 11:11 - Apr 1 Wow Jamie you are easily pleased . Both are not good enough. Murphy is too slow and Rosenior cant beat anyone or cross. We need a very quick CF to get on the end of Roseniors wayward crosses. Or Beckham so he can cross the ball straight onto Murphys head. The 2 together is hopeless.
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finidiwoah added 13:03 - Apr 1 bor off campo was god- you talk nonsense what a ridiculous statement to make- they are both very good players for championship level in most people opinion!!
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Mark added 13:06 - Apr 1 If Ipswich have "taken up the option" of a 3rd year on Balkestein in order to get a transfer fee / tribunal fee for them, then presumably he could choose to stay at Ipswich for a further year? He hasn't looked Championship level for me, although at 22 he does have some time for improvement and may make it one day. Rosenior impressed me initially, but I am now less enthusiastic about him. Personally I would rather D.Wright signs, but Rosenior might be worth signing too if his wages are affordable. D.Murphy would be a welcome addition, although I would not break the wage structure to get him as he is not outstanding. Perhaps it is time to bring in some hungry players from the lower leagues rather than players who have failed to make it in the Premiership? How about the likes of Lee Barnard (age 25) and Rickie Lambert (age 28) who have scored 48 goals between them for Southampton in League One?

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16_Jack_ken_16 added 13:51 - Apr 1 have murphy and rosenior but get someone with proper pace like wayne routledge who used to play for QPR and that would be brill i think anyway :)
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campowasgod added 14:20 - Apr 1 Finidi ; But i want players to get us out of the Championship - IMO we have a few in Leadbitter , Macauley ,Delaney , Norris , B. Murphy ,Walters , Civelli , Peters etc but Rosenior Edwards Murphy Healy etc are no better than what we had last season in Wright , Miller , Stead and Lee. Lower Championship squad players at best - not what I want.....
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ollyfayers added 18:40 - Apr 1 Well, much as I like Pim, he's not high up on the "most sought-after defenders for a Championship team" list. In fact, I'm not awfully sure he's on there.
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tractorboybig added 19:18 - Apr 1 jamie22 You would be happy with this crap again next year? then you want 1st div football.
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unbelievable_tekers added 20:20 - Apr 1 Keep pim he's young and no-where near his best yet. Don't bother buying roseniour when we've got David Wright. 1st division football? Have you not watched us this year, we're a mid table side; face it.
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bluethroughnthrough added 22:12 - Apr 1 this is an april fools, right?
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jamie22 added 22:27 - Apr 1 Well IMO Norris will not take us out of this league, I want Civelli to succeed but we haven't seen enough of him make those statements surely!? Murphy IMO is better than Stead, Murphy wins things in the air and has a lot more technical ability! And Miller was past it, he was once great but no longer is he that! But whatever happens, I have my opinions, you obviously disagree, I want my team to succeed, as I'm sure you do. COYB!

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Blue041273 added 22:36 - Apr 1 Not sure how to read this. Pim clearly has no future with us. Yet we may seemingly take up the 3rd year option on his contract in order to recoup compensation if he leaves. I have no idea what he may be earning but the economics in this strategy are puzzling. £100K I would suggest is a big deal for Brentford; maybe not so for clubs in the Championship but I for one would be amazed if there were any interest there based on his performances in the last two years. But whatever I cannot believe that we would consider protecting our investment in his development (or lack of it) over the last two years by taking up a 3rd year option which at conservative estimates will cost at least as much as we are trying to recoup. Therefore who is trying to con who here? ITFC for perhaps raising the ante by agreeing a fee now ahead of the summer rush (sic) for Pim's services and thereby perhaps testing the resolve of the Championship clubs who survive by the skin of their teeth and know they need to strengthen in the Summer; Pim for suggesting his record is of Championship standard and declaring his availability; or The media for looking to us to take this at face value. Make no bones about it; this is a question of money. We need to offload at the most advantageous outcome. Pim needs to secure a future. What is happening is the typical posturing we see a this stage every season with players getting to the end of their contracts. Just don't expect too much!

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bennyblue added 00:11 - Apr 2 tell him too make his bloody mind up
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milliem added 02:44 - Apr 2 Pim change your name to O'Balkestein and you could very well be our next 20 goal a season striker. And you'd be a lot cheaper than any of the Sunderland superstars that Maestro Roy will sign.
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WickedBlue added 04:12 - Apr 2 Interesting insightful comments on here.....................APRILS FOOL
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bennyblue added 09:03 - Apr 2 6 months with sunderland and roy will buy you back for 5 mill
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WadzillaBhoy added 14:02 - Apr 2 I think he's been told he wont get a contract with us, you'll probably find thats because Brentford have offered a fair price for him, considering his contract expires at the end of the season.
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