Town boss Paul Jewell has told Irish duo Colin Healy and Brian Murphy that they will be offered new contracts. The pair are amongst the 21 players whose current deals are up at the end of the season and met with the Blues manager last week to discuss their futures.

Jewell said: "I have spoken to the two lads and we are making them an offer. Colin is a terrific lad and a good player. I know he wasn't in the picture much before I came here but he's done well and I'd like to keep him.

"Brian has been injured and it's always tricky when a new manager comes in and a player has been injured.

"There will be a deal on the table for the both of them and we'd like them to stay, but whether they are here next season is down to the players."

Healy, 31, joined the Blues from League of Ireland side Cork City for £70,000 in the summer of 2009 but failed to make an impact during Roy Keane's time as manager and spent the second half of last season on loan at Falkirk.

The former Ireland international impressed in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg victory over Arsenal, which was watched by incoming new manager Paul Jewell, and has been in and around the side ever since, scoring his first Town goal in the 6-0 win at Doncaster.

Murphy signed on a free transfer from another League of Ireland side Bohemians on a free transfer in January 2010. The 27-year-old was the Blues' first choice during the second half of last season but lost his regular place after the summer signing of Márton Fülöp from Sunderland.

The Waterford-born glovesman impressed in Town's Carling Cup run but was ruled out of the semi-final with Arsenal when he broke his ankle in training two days before Christmas.

Murphy returned to action in the reserves a fortnight ago and expressed his desire to remain at Portman Road when speaking after last Tuesday's 0-0 second string draw with Watford.

A week ago, Jewell, who wants players to make their decisions on the deals quickly, revealed that new contracts had been offered to defenders Gareth McAuley and Damien Delaney, while the Blues boss is still looking to talk to David Norris's agent again regarding the Town skipper's future.

Midfielder-turned-right-back Carlos Edwards will remain with Town for a further season having triggered a clause on his existing deal.

Keeper Arran Lee-Barrett and midfielder Alan Quinn are the only other out of contract senior players currently at the club, while Pablo Couñago and Kevin Lisbie are on loan with Crystal Palace and Millwall for the season respectively and seem certain to be released in the summer.

The other 11 players whose deals are up in June are first and second-year professionals.

Photo: Action Images

bluelady added 19:09 - Apr 5 Jas agree about ALB, i think the problem with Healy is under Keane he was useless and shipped out rather than given a real chance to shine! seems Jewell has brought the best out of him..... agreed he isnt a must start week in week out but does offer experience and someone to have on the bench. As for Norris i doubt the two are linked in anyway, differant types of player and Healy likely to be a squad player rather than a starter. maybe its sending a message to Keanes agent though!

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bluelady added 19:14 - Apr 5 keanes agent????? doppey woman i meant Norris's agent (unless we are signing Keane to play along side bullard next year lol!)
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broomfield123 added 19:26 - Apr 5 Correct me if im wrong but didnt Burley use a bunch of old boys for several seasons as back up for Wright before we got promoted
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Surco72 added 20:09 - Apr 5 If we are serious about going up next season get rid of both , a few average games and one high profile win against Arsenal where all of our team ran around and worked extremely hard doesnt change my view on Healy like most on here . He was a poor signing and will only get slower ,the question should be would he get into Qpr , Cardiff,Leeds, Norwich's squads ,i doubt it and that is what we should be aiming for surely ? 2 poor to average Keane signings get rid and look younger

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jas0999 added 20:29 - Apr 5 bluelady - I have a feeling Norris will leave ... but as you say probably not related to Healy, who is a decent squad player but no more. That said Leadbitter has been poor this season (and I was a fan of his last) ... I wonder if he will want a move. Believe I am right in saying he moved here to play under Roy. Been poor under both managers this year though. I disagree with others that Murphy was a poor signing. Free transfer and has had decent games for us.

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bluelady added 22:42 - Apr 5 Agree Jas don't think Murphy is that bad, hope your wrong about Norris but isn't looking good.. leadbitter is difficult think would be good to drop then we may see what we are missing? A good pre season maybe all he needs in a settled side, he has age on his side...
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thebeat added 22:49 - Apr 5 I can understand Healy staying as a back up midfielder but dont get the Murphy thing, he's way too small, doesnt command his box, doesnt read the game very well , i'd get rid of him and Fulop who must be on big wages and bring a new keeper in, you build from the back and a top quality keeper is a must, neither Fulop or Murphy are top quality
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Walk_the_Wark added 00:29 - Apr 6 Get rid of Leadbitter he's sh*t!!!!!
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