Lee Martin is so keen to remain at Ipswich that he would like to have his long-term future resolved long before his current contract expires next year.

The rejuvenated midfielder signed a four-year deal when he arrived from Manchester United in 2009 so will go into the new campaign knowing it could be his last at Portman Road.

Martin, 25, said: “I would like to get something sorted nice and early. I was just talking to a couple of the young boys and they are a little bit on edge because they don’t know what’s happening.

“It made me think that I’m going into my last year and then, when you hit the six-month mark, you don’t know where you’re going to be. The quicker it is sorted, the better it is.

“But it all depends on (a) whether the manager wants to keep me and (b) whether the owner agrees. That decision comes from the top but the way I see it my career here has just started.

“I’m being played in what I regard as my position and I’m maturing every day. Hopefully next season I can kick on even more, which I honestly believe I will.

“I would be more than happy to stay here. I don’t feel the need to go anywhere else. I want to be at a club where I can progress and repay the faith that has been shown in me.

“It could happen for us next season. I’m sure the manager would agree that we need a couple of players to shore it up. We’ve got a core of players who have played together for a reasonable time and we’ve looked good. The back part of the season, we’ve done well, so if we add to the current core who knows what we can achieve?”

The effervescent Martin is unrecognisable from the figure who lost his sparkle under Roy Keane and was shipped off to Charlton on loan.

He added: “This is my best season at the club. Well, it’s what I regard as my first full season. It’s been a good season. It was tough under Roy but the new manager has given me an opportunity in what I regard as my best position and I’ve enjoyed it.”

Turning his attention to tonight’s penultimate home league game against promotion-chasing Birmingham, Martin said: “When we played them at their place in January we were by far the better team.

“We should have got something out of the game. I scored an equaliser and at 1-1 we should have been given a penalty. Decisions really cost us.

“If we had scored from the spot and gone 2-1 up I think we could have defended knowing we didn’t have to chase the game and it might have been a very different outcome.”

Photo: Action Images

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 11:41 - Apr 17 Three year deal as soon as you like please ME. " It was tough under Roy but the new manager has given me an opportunity in what I regard as my best position and I've enjoyed it.” Well done PJ.
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playmakerz added 11:45 - Apr 17 We need to build a team round our best players, Martin is a key player. 2-3 year extension asap.
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BotesdaleBlue added 12:32 - Apr 17 I don't know whether it happens at other clubs, but it seems to me over the past couple of years, that many of our players have had to ask publically for contract negotiations to begin with the Club. Only recently we have had the examples of Edwards (now sorted thankfully) and Smith (and Delany speaking on behalf of Smith!!) asking to be receive contract offers. Whilst it's good that they want to stay, should the Club not be more pro-active in starting negotiations, before it gets to the stage that the player is quoted in the press in this way. Regarding Martin, I hope he is given a three year deal in the summer.

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daniel9624 added 13:37 - Apr 17 The only Fly I see in this ointment would be his wages, it is safe to assume he is on a pretty fair wage comparitivly, and i do wonder whether he would be willing/expected to take a wage cut in these times of austerity?
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 13:41 - Apr 17 Botesdaleblue. I share your frustrations in this. I just wonder if it is because Marcus Evans wants the final word (its his money afterall) but that he is not often around to deal or approve contract negotations? Just a thought because I agree, Lee Martin should be offered a new contract now. We did with Cresswell remember?
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terry_butchers_twin added 13:42 - Apr 17 Lee Martin has had a very good season and now the club needs to secure his services before another club comes knocking on his door with a better offer than the current one (ie - nothing!).
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buryblue77 added 13:43 - Apr 17 Mr Evans and Mr Clegg, listen to this. Here we have a player who wants to be at the club and wants to get his future sorted, exactly the sort of player we want and as PJ said, the contract fiasco we have experienced needs to be stopped and here is your chance to start a new policy on dealing with players contracts.
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stinkiusminkius added 14:25 - Apr 17 Jas0999 - what do you reckon? " It was tough under Roy but the new manager has given me an opportunity in what I regard as my best position and I've enjoyed it.” Well done PJ, wouldn't you say?
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Ipswichbusiness added 15:36 - Apr 17 He's a quality player, arguably our player of the season. We should be signing him up now before another club comes in and gets him.
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jas0999 added 15:45 - Apr 17 CLEGG: This means you sort this out THIS SUMMER. Sign him up or sell him. Let's not make the same mistake for a third season in a row!
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alex12345 added 16:56 - Apr 17 Strange how "jas0999" can make even the most positive of stories sound negative in some way. Might as well not support the club really Jas0999 as your input is by no means wanted, needed or even necessary. There's a club up the road called Norwich City who would welcome your support i'm sure.
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saffronblue added 09:01 - Apr 18 To be honest, for once I agree with Jas, if he wants to stay lets get him locked in to a longer term deal. He is one of our key players and the club should be stretching themselves to secure his future.
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