Town boss Paul Jewell says the Blues are looking to negotiate a new deal with striker Jason Scotland because the clause in the Trinidadian’s current contract is unaffordable with the new Financial Fair Play rules coming in next season. An extra year at the 33-year-old’s existing wage will be triggered if he makes two more league starts during the remaining weeks of the campaign.

Jewell says Scotland has begun talks with chief executive Simon Clegg: “Jason’s had a chat with Simon but I’m not quite sure of the outcome of that because I’ve not seen Simon since. I don’t know what the progress is.

“The club have made Jason and offer and I think he’s considering it. I’m not 100% sure where things are. I’m trying to stay out of the contract talks so I can’t give you guys any misinformation, but as soon as I know I’ll let you know.”

He says the terms of the deal agreed when Scotland signed from Wigan for £1 million in the summer of 2010 aren’t realistic given the break-even model that Championship clubs will be moving to next season, skipper Carlos Edwards having already agreed a much reduced new contract: “I think the clause that we’ve got we can’t afford to give him, basically.

“The clause is decent money and with the Financial Fair Play rules that are coming in and the economic climate that we’re in, wages are not going up, they’re going down. That’s life.

“Jason understands that, he’s a year older and has been very reasonable about it. I don’t know what the figures are and that’s not for the public domain anyway but it will be a contract worth less. I don’t know what’s in it, although I know there is dialogue going on.”

Jewell says the striker has never dug his heels in about the clause: “I spoke to Jason a long time ago and he knew he had the clause in his contract and he knows [the situation].

“I think he’s been a really good player for us since I’ve been here. He’s a good positive lad around the place, he’s come on as sub and he’s done well, he’s started games and he’s done well.

“He came from a Premier League team, but he’s sensible [about the clause]. I never want to get into the situation where we don’t play him because it triggers that clause because that makes it messy for everybody.”

It’s likely that Town have offered the ex-Swansea goal-getter a new one-year deal with the option of a further season on top of that.

Jewell says Scotland, who will be back from his adductor injury for tonight’s game against Middlesbrough, was missed at Watford on Saturday: “We didn’t really have an option. Jason’s a valuable member of our squad because it’s not just about the starting XI it’s about everybody and being a position influence, and he’s certainly that.”

As regards the other players who are out of contract in the summer, such as Grant Leadbitter, Tommy Smith and Lee Bowyer, and Daryl Murphy, who is on loan from Celtic with another year remaining on his deal there, Jewell says he has much to do in the weeks to come having recently met with the club’s owner Marcus Evans: “There’s an awful lot of work for me to get through between now and the end of the summer with people who are out of contract, people who have to play so many games to trigger clause in their contracts and Daryl on loan.

“I had a meeting with Marcus on Thursday and I’ve got a host of things to do and those will be dealt with over the coming weeks.”

Photos: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

village_blue added 06:48 - Mar 27 Well thats Scotland confined to the subs bench for the rest of the season then.
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itfc1981 added 07:11 - Mar 27 Knowing Cleggy he will somehow increase his wages.
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itfc1981 added 07:15 - Mar 27 Just to point out, as the break even model wont be enforced next season with fines ITFC could offer the same terms to Scotland, as Scotland will only be offered a 1 year deal.
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DiamondGezzer added 07:45 - Mar 27 I for one hope he puts pen to paper.
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Paulc added 07:54 - Mar 27 It is right to say there will be no fines nexus season but the rules ate still in place. Club boards all over the country must be secretly thanking the FA for imposing these rules though. As now, when the fans start calling for more players to be signed and contracts to be paid, the club can just say "we would, but it's the fair play rule that won't allow us". Big game tonight, it's not about the playoffs it's about getting some pride back around the place, it's been getting better so COYB.

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lawshallgirls added 07:57 - Mar 27 Shorley Bullards on more?! I'd rather have scotland than Bullard at the moment!
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Karlosfandangal added 08:36 - Mar 27 Could start to push the prices even higher for the fans. Town are one of the highest ticket prices in the championship if not the prem. Peterborough fans said they would not go to the match as they had to pay £34 for tickets yet they only paid £23 to get in at the Hammers.
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campowasgod added 08:45 - Mar 27 Jewell made it very , very clear a few weeks ago that Scotland's contract details would not affect selection !!! ??? !!!!
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roytheboy added 08:59 - Mar 27 I hope that Jason stays with us as I think he would missed quite considerably, next season could be a very good one for him.
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beerhelps added 09:14 - Mar 27 This is the start of a big reality check for players everywhere, and its long overdue. From past reports I gather that we are paying players 98% of our income. Karlos is right to point out the cost of watching at PR, and in return we get to watch a mid table championship team that too often has played with a lack of passion and commitment. I wonder if Mr Leadbitter's new found commitment will continue should he sign another highly lucrative contract, or Mr Bullard's form return to the levels seen last season when he was trying to earn one? I feel that we (and our sugerdaddy) are being short changed by some of these players - time for them to take a long hard look in the mirror. Jason - I feel you were given a hard time by some of us during your first season, but if you are commited to us tell your agent to do a 'new world' deal ignoring the 'trigger' in your existing contract and get playing rather than rotting on the bench. Wheres Basilsmallpiece when you need him? Football is eating itself...... over the past few years I have had to give up my season ticket and now see more mid-week away games than home games as other teams charge less than ITFC.

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bluelady added 09:16 - Mar 27 with a business head on, rather than blue tinted glasses that think we have a overflowing pot of money:- if we offered Scotland a one year deal on a very high wage, even if no fines are being imposed on others what message does that give the likes of Grant et al? Secondly agree Bullard is a total waste of money but he is mid contract so he has us by the short and curlies, we are best to try to get the best out of him cause he aint going anywhere. Scotland has a year or two at this best i would say, so unless he finds a championship team prepared to pay over inflated wages i suggest our approach is bang on.

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Sindre94 added 09:33 - Mar 27 Learn to read people... "I never want to get into the situation where we don't play him because it triggers that clause because that makes it messy for everybody.”
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walberswick added 10:04 - Mar 27 pay up his contract, he can leave and we can start getting used to the fact we need to buy 5/6 players.
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CavendishBlue added 10:35 - Mar 27 beerhelps - couldn't agree more.I blame Trevor Francis.......
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jas0999 added 11:11 - Mar 27 I agree. We should not pay above the odds for a 33 year old. However, with just Chopra as a recognised striker (JET playing midfield and I don't count Ellington!!), we MUST strengthen here in the Summer. Along with: GK, RB, 2xCB, replacements for Leadbitter and Bowyer (if they go) and Murphy. Much for PJ to do - but will we do the deals? I am not confident at all!
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garethch added 12:18 - Mar 27 "Much for PJ to do" eh Jas! So you're ok with him staying then now are you? ;)
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muhrensleftfoot added 13:18 - Mar 27 Scotland must be on real top dollar. If I were Evans, I'd offer him 2 years at an affordable wage as he is certainly worth keeping on for a couple of years. However if he refuses, tell PJ not to play him. This Financial fair Play stuff is really going to give an even bigger advantage to clubs with Premier league parachute money.
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andygizmo added 19:00 - Mar 27 Blimey ... Ellington I had forgotten he was here
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bobblehat added 12:16 - Mar 28 I enjoy seeing Scotland play. Last night the game improved when he came on and is the only man up front who is capable of holding the ball up for the others to join in the play. He was very unlucky towards the end not to be on the score sheet when Jet completley missed his run. However we cannot undo all the good work in getting a better more affordable pay structure in place. I hope he does sign soon however is he doesn't i think the town need a player in a similar style. Heres hoping

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MintyHalfWit added 16:18 - Mar 28 Off, we would be much better Without the ex-Swansea goal-getter.
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