Town boss Paul Jewell has revealed that he is releasing central defender Ibrahima Sonko at the end of the season. However, midfielder Grant Leadbitter’s situation is still up in the air despite the Blues manager’s conversation with owner Marcus Evans earlier this week and a lengthy chat with the player yesterday, while Tommy Smith is set to sign a new deal.

Jewell said: “I have released Sonko. He’s been a terrific pro, a really good lad around the club. He came in at a time when we were struggling with centre-halves and always gave his best.

“He’s rubbed off on a lot of young players here, he’s got a good attitude but unfortunately money is less prevalent at our club at all clubs in the Championship, I guess.

“And unfortunately for him, and one or two others, we have to make decisions on a) ability, b) on age and c) on wages.

“All these things are factors in the offering or not offering of contracts. He’s a really positive person Sonks and it was a tough decision, but they’re all tough decisions when you release people.”

Sonko has been unable to break back into the side recently with Smith re-establishing himself during the second half of the season. Jewell says the New Zealand international is set to put pen to paper on a new contract: “His agent rang me yesterday and he thinks that will get done. I haven’t spoken to Tommy about that.

“I think he’s done really well and he’s only 22. He’s a good professional, he’ll get better, so I think he’s deserved it.”

As for Leadbitter, Jewell has relented on the deadline he set at the end of last week having talked to the 26-year-old yesterday: “I spoke at length with Grant and it’s a big decision for Grant. We had a conversation for a good hour about where I see Ipswich Town.

“I was hoping that we could have a decision one way or the other, but I had such a long conversation with him yesterday and he expressed the importance of the decision for him, he gets married in June, so he’s got an awful lot on his plate.

“It’s a big, big decision for him and he wants to make sure that ambition-wise, career-wise the next one’s the right one for him.

“We both agreed that it wouldn’t have been so long ago that I might have thought it would have been best that he should move on and he might have felt the same, but I think the last couple of months have changed our minds.

“He’s been one of our best players and he’s shown what he’s capable of in the last couple of months of the season and seems a lot happier in himself because of that.

“All of a sudden he’s got a big, big decision to make and at this stage of the season.

"Rather than force him into a corner, a week’s probably not going make a lot of difference, but we do need to know by the end of the season, it won’t drag on past the end of the season.”

Meanwhile, Jewell says talks are ongoing with Lee Bowyer regarding a new contract on reduced terms with the same the case with Jason Scotland, who recently waived a clause in his previous deal an indication that he’s likely to stay, while no decision has been made on Richard Wright and Cody Cropper.

The Town boss says there are no new developments on loanee Daryl Murphy, who he is keen to sign from Celtic on a permanent basis, while he expects youngster Callum Bennett to leave the club having turned down his contract.

Sheffield Wednesday are amongst a number of clubs interested with the Blues entitled to compensation when the right-back, who has been at the club since he was seven, moves on.

Photo: Action Images

Blue041273 added 20:10 - Apr 20 ITFCBam No-one denies that GL has the right to consider all his options and weigh them up against all the situations he finds himself in at the moment. He may well be eager to get out of town on the first stagecoach and be glad to see the back of East Anglia. But all we are looking for here is honesty. In the situation you describe most of us would jump at the first opportunity and leave two fingers raised in our trail. We need GL to tell us that he has no intention of re-signing so that we can move on. If he is seriously considering re-signing what is the issue here? It's easier for him to stay on than uproot his family to move to pastures new. PJ should have stuck to his original deadline; no re-sign, no future - thanks and adios.

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alfromcol added 20:14 - Apr 20 Garv added 16:06 - Apr 20 West Ham goal not vital then WarkOn? Or Leicester goal not important? 4 very good away points they were, effectively earned by Lee Bowyer. I'm not saying hes been fantastic but to say he's given us nothing is frankly a highly moronic statement. Why are so many of our fans complete idiots?! Agghh! Totally agree Gary
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alfromcol added 20:17 - Apr 20 newboy ""THIS CLUB IS FINISHED IF THE MANAGEMENT STAYS AS IS no one wants to play for him"" Were you at the Birmingham game, if you were then your comment is totally foolish.
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PauloJulio added 20:21 - Apr 20 Strange decision to get rid of Sonko and keep Bowyer as were over-run with midfielders and light in the central defensive positions. But reading PJ's comments i think he probably wasnt prepared to take a paycut and Bowyer is. Think Sonko left Reading FC last season for similar reasons, they wanted him to take a paycut and he wouldn't.
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TimmyH added 20:29 - Apr 20 after a good start a few awful games and never recovered his confidence...he plays in a position that his mistakes are more noticable unlike some of the midfield muppets we had earlier in the season...we all know who they are and are still playing or on the bench. So they can be considered lucky they've still haven't been given the boot or their contract is waiting to be renewed! Anyway all the best Ibrahima where ever you go.

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TimmyH added 20:33 - Apr 20 Sorry haven't read the article fully...Bowyer a new contract! you've gotta be joking at best he can do well for 10/15 minutes or so, if he starts next season I'll personally give up on Jewell!
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runaround added 20:56 - Apr 20 Happy with news re Smith, unsure re Sonko and not happy re Bowyer. He may have loads of experience but his legs have gone. Hope he turns deal down! As for Leadbelly, all his indecision suggest that perhaps there is not a brilliant offer forthcoming from anywhere yet and he is hoping someone offers him more than what we have. Would be happy for him to stay if he continued in same vain as last 2 months but I dont think that would happen

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buryblue77 added 20:58 - Apr 20 @Timmy, Bowyer hasn't looked that bad when coming off the bench and gives you that option late on, so on reflection if he will sign on a reduced wage I think he's certainly worthwhile having around as a sub, doesn't have it anymore as a starting player so agree with you on that. jas makes sense with his posts, I've often said, negative he may be, he does generally have a point to his post and we don't have to agree, that's what this site is all about. But newboy, what's with you? If the players don't want to play for Jewell then why was there such a turn around in form, doesn't sound like he's lost the players to me.

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h32 added 21:21 - Apr 20 ........ more ridiculous decisions from an incompetent Manager - he's one who should be legging it out of Portman Road post haste. Never has been a good Manager, and never will be.
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s6blue added 21:23 - Apr 20 all the best sonks
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TimmyH added 21:29 - Apr 20 @bury - Actually agree with a lot of Jas posts but he does tend to repeat himself about the PJ's failings on the defence/goalkeeper throughout this season but I think he only has the best intentions of the club at heart and we all reflect this differently. Re: Bowyer again agreed, reduced wages and a bit part player if he wants to stay at this club.
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 22:06 - Apr 20 h32 .... you dont like PJ, obvious and fair enough cos its your opinion, however "Never has been a good Manager, and never will be" makes you look foolish. You dont guide two clubs into the Premiership by being a poor manager. Two smaller clubs with limited finances too.
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buryblue77 added 22:44 - Apr 20 Timmy, I'm pro PJ but even I will admit, the keeper situation has been a complete farce this year and it's a something I NEVER want to see repeated again, we need a number one keeper contracted to this club and although I always felt nervous when Sonko played, we're now in need of at least 2 CB's.
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buryblue77 added 22:50 - Apr 20 I'll echo Dozzell, I always say people are entitled to their opinions, but only if they are backed up with rational intelligence. H32 clearly dislikes PJ (fair enough) but to say he's not a good manager or never has been is ridiculous, Bradford and Wigan into the Premier League, where Wigan still are (just) thanks to his work.
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tractorboy2434 added 23:04 - Apr 20 Should be using the wages from Bowyer, Ellington and Sonko to sign a good keeper and CB, then if Leadbitter won't sign go and get Boyd from Posh to play on the left.
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TractorRoyNo1 added 01:35 - Apr 21 taxi !
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Infineteregress added 10:39 - Apr 21 Feel gutted for Sonko. Always gave 100% and came across as a really stabillising influence on the back four. Personally, I'd have given him another year as, at the very least, would be decent back up. All the best Sonks! COYBs!
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itfcjc added 11:02 - Apr 21 I'd keep Sonko He's a BEAST Da da daaa Ibraihima Sonko
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h32 added 13:15 - Apr 21 buryblue77 - BIG DEAL - how many years back now ?? - the game has moved on - he hasn't, hence his most recent and current record. Mistake after mistake, contradiction after contradiction, weird substitutions after weird substitutions, weird selection after weird selection - obviously doesn't like / rate youngsters (drops them at the slightest opportunity), and offers them paltry contracts. How much more do you want in examples - I could quite easily go on ......... Smell the Coffee man - for real.

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h32 added 13:33 - Apr 21 buryblue77 - take a tip - who do you think you are to question my intelligence ????? - therfore don't !!!! ...................
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h32 added 13:35 - Apr 21 ..... purposely left the 'e' out of therefore - so you can.
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DJMason added 09:45 - Apr 22 Why get rid of Sonko??!!! Get rid of Bowyer!!! We all like Sonko. Another wrong desicion P J.
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runningout added 09:33 - Apr 24 Sonko cant cut a full season... Leadbitter has visions of grander things so must hop it.. Good decision to sign up Lee Bowyer, he will surprise you next season.. Delaney and Smith need to start season in August and not January... Chopra to visit LA Fitness not LA dbrookes.. and whole squad to be more clinical in the seasons ahead... think I'm a dreamer
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