Jay Tabb looks set to become one of this summer’s first permanent additions to the squad with the Blues having offered the on-loan midfielder a contract, we understand. Recently manager Mick McCarthy said he had spoken to the 29-year-old and was keen to keep him at Portman Road.

Tabb, who has not been offered new terms by current club Reading, has made seven starts and one sub appearance and has scored one goal since joining the Blues on a temporary basis in March.

The former Coventry and Brentford man has previously said he has enjoyed his time at Town and that he would welcome a longer term move: “I don’t see why I wouldn’t stay here, it would have to take something special for me not to.”

With the season effectively over, the Blues boss seems likely to make public his decisions regarding the out of contract players and loanees in the next few days.

Lee Martin, Andy Drury, Arran Lee-Barrett and recent signing Jason Brown all have terms which are up in June, while Daryl Murphy, Guirane N’Daw, Richard Stearman, Reece Brown, Aaron Mclean and Patrick Kisnorbo are like Tabb on loan until the end of the season.

David McGoldrick is still at the club despite his 93-day loan being up and is set to sign a two-year deal on July 1st when Tabb would also be able to formally put pen to paper on a contract with the Blues, their terms elsewhere having come to an end.

Meanwhile, McCarthy confirmed at Saturday night’s Player Awards Evening that he would have left the club had the Blues dropped into League One: “The agreement was I’d stay if we stayed up, I’d go if we went down. Relegation would have been a disaster for this club and there would have been a whole host of changes.”

Had they been demoted Town would have looked for a manager whose wages would have been more in line with those of a club in League One, while it’s unlikely that McCarthy would have wanted to manage at that level.

Photo: Action Images

itfc1981 added 12:00 - Apr 29 Put it on Marcus Evans Tabb.
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swarby_7 added 12:05 - Apr 29 Glad to see this. Would be a good signing. Not sure how many of the out of contract players will be offered new deals. Can see Martin, Drury and Brown all going. I only think Murphy and Stearman will get offered permanent deals too. Could be an interesting summer. On a different note, any one out there happen to have a copy of this seasons team poster they would be willing to give away or sell for a small fee? If so please contact swarby_7@yahoo.com. Thanks

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NorthSTANDER_ITFC added 12:07 - Apr 29 Good news, I presume one of the next announcements will be bye bye Martin
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cookra added 12:18 - Apr 29 brings a new energy to the midfield and is a lot more effective than Martin. Tabb even scores (well with his shin but they all count) goodbye Lee Martin its been emotional
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Mark added 12:21 - Apr 29 Good news, I like Tabb as he has good energy work work rate, and helps the team keep hold of the ball. Let's get him signed up early. I would: Lee Martin - release, too ineffective. Andy Drury - release. Arran Lee-Barrett / Jason Brown - keep one or both as backup to Loach. Daryl Murphy - sign if he doesn't want too much money. Guirane N'Daw- sign if he doesn't want too much money. Richard Stearman - try to sign, although just maybe Hewitt could be the answer. Reece Brown - don't know. Aaron Mclean - release. Patrick Kisnorbo - release. David McGoldrick - sign.

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blueherts added 12:26 - Apr 29 Tabb been a really good asset along with McGoldrick , Stearman and Murphy we should sign up . N'Daw has been solid with Luke in the middle - need a couple more Midfielders Drury and Martin - Thanks and dont the let the door hit you on the way out !
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irishtim added 12:40 - Apr 29 Sign Tabb is a good idea. He works hard for the team.
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bontcho added 12:49 - Apr 29 People wanting Drury out. Although i'm not saying he's amazing he's certainly a useful squad player and I would assume relatively cheap wages-wise (having come from Luton). We've chopped and changed a lot over the past 4 or 5 years and would prefer relative stability (which is going to be hard enough considering all the loans we have). Our squad should have a central midfield of Hyam, Drury, Wordsworth and either N'Daw or a direct replacement for him (plus I guess Tabb and Lawrence as a back up too). Nice balance there i'd say.

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BtreeBlueBlood added 13:02 - Apr 29 Unfortunately drury will go if ndaw and tabb sign. ESP as we need someone challenging for that 1st team place not to sit on the bench. Again Murphy on the evidence on Saturday I hope he stays. Chops might be sold if an offer is made. Martin will free up some wages to. Saturday might of been his farewell. An interesting summer , but I hope we get the guys in before pre season

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bluefeast added 13:05 - Apr 29 I see chopra contract bought out and him released . I don't see Martin being offered a contract. All else I have no idea ,as so much depends on who he wishes to buy. Stearman I hope a deal can be done but I reckon he will be to much money for us. There will be completion for him as he has been one of the championships top performers whilst with us. I would have ndaw all day long , his work rate and break up play are so needed in this division. All in all MM will have clarity on what he wishes to do. I hope he can achieve it for in him we are very lucky to have.

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gypo added 14:03 - Apr 29 Maybe wolves are all but down. We might get Steadman for a good and get Doyle aswell
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Warkystache added 14:05 - Apr 29 Let Martin, Drury, ALB, Reece Brown and Maclean go. Try and sign N'daw, Tabb and Murphy. Stearman will be too much money (as much as I'd like him) and I think Mick then needs another striker (SEB when recovered?) and a left-sided m/f (Stephen Hunt from Woves is out of contract?). Bingo. Minimum spent on fees, decent squad and a chance of promotion.
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bluefeast added 14:12 - Apr 29 You get nothing cheap if there a number of willing buyers. And Wolves players SEB Doyle and Stearmen will have numerous clubs interested. Yes we have Mick ,but we don't have stupid money anymore .. COYB
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itsonlyme added 15:19 - Apr 29 Don't forget lads - we have Paul Taylor coming back as well, which will be like a new signing. Also, agree Martin, Drury, Mclean, Chopra, ALB, Brown & Kisnorbo to disappear. Need a decent back-up keeper, a top quality striker and more importantly a top class winger who can take on full backs and deliver a decent cross!
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SamWhiteUK added 15:22 - Apr 29 Don't forget we've got Taylor back next season
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SamWhiteUK added 15:23 - Apr 29 Sorry itsonlyme, I must have been typing as you posted!
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ITFCMarcus00 added 15:33 - Apr 29 I have to say this news is very promising! I like Jay he gives us more energy, holds the ball up well and from what I have seen in recent home games he is a good corner kick taker. Also I think Mick McCarthy should be up there with the nominees for manager of the season because of the achievement he has done for us which is keeping us up which a lot of people thought we didn't have a chance. so my vote would be super Mick!

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Earl60 added 15:51 - Apr 29 Drury will go anyway, he's a footballer, wants to play football, and won't be content bench warming behind the likes of average players. He's served us well on relatively low wages, and has far more talent than the limited Hyam, and a very average N'Daw. Just look at his record over the past couple of years. All successful teams just tinker with their side, like the old Liverpool side who won title after title, adding just one player to a Championship winning side each season. Some of our fans are absolutely low lifes judging by the comments above. Drury won't be short of offers

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meekreech added 15:54 - Apr 29 Tabb , Stearman and Murphy are all worth signing . Wolves 25 million wage bill will enable us to cut a good deal for Stearman as he ,I think , will relish staying with Big Mick and TC .He will also see big things in view for next season ! With McGoldrick up front as well we are going to be some force , especially if Big Mick makes a few more signings and the youngsters , like Mings , Nouble , Jet and Hewitt etc. , are developed by TC into proper players !

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JWM added 16:03 - Apr 29 Earl60 Are you Drury's agent? Never read so much hard sell!
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Earl60 added 16:14 - Apr 29 JWM No but I'm open to offers!! Just feel he's a lot of talent, and if you look at the stats we've done better with him than without, so why get rid. Like I say Hyam has limitations to his game, and who am I to question MM, but N'Daw has some sort of physical presence but little else.
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Seasider added 16:17 - Apr 29 Thank good ness we were not relegated then,otherwise could have been really struggling without MM. As it is we have him and TC.Looks like we could finish in best position since 2009 with younger players contracted and fewer out of contract.Also half the loan players we have can hopefully be signed and dont think MM will be scratching around at the end of August for players as true to his word getting started on signings already now that we are safe. Have now been following Town for just over 50 years,and been a season ticket holder since club issued standing season tickets in Churchmans; so have seen several highs and lows starting with demise after League Championship in 1962. Feel there is once again an air of optimism on the terraces and this site that hasnt been around for several years;but ME mustn't let our best players go if Mick wants them to stay.

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blueherts added 16:22 - Apr 29 Earl60 - You are a funny guy - nice one - Drury is better footballer than Hyam and N' Daw? He never really let us down but I think if we want to push on - and we do , we need a couple of midfielders from Champ or Div One - there are afew out there ;
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Earl60 added 16:31 - Apr 29 blueherts. Don't get me wrong I like Hyam, but you can't seriously tell me he's a talented footballer. He works hard, plays the simple ball, he's young, but really can't see him progressing above this level. Jewell, Keane obviously didn't rate him, playing in front of a strong defence has obviously helped him. N'Daw ok defensively, nothing going forward. Can't see us pushing on anymore with these two than Drury

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TractorBoy666 added 16:42 - Apr 29 If Wolves go down (which looks likely) I can see Mick going for a few, Stearman being one. Doyle maybe? Reading that last part of the story gave me fears of what it would have been like getting relegated, total disaster. However next season looks very promising and I just hope we get off to a good start for once! COYB
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