Promotion back to the Premier League will also guarantee Town winger Stephen Hunt a new contract to remain at Portman Road for a further 12 months.

The 32-year-old Republic of Ireland international revealed: “I’d like to stay and if we get promoted I think I’ll be here anyway.

"There is a clause in my present contract that means I will get an automatic one-year deal if we get promoted.

“I haven’t spoken to the manager about a new contract. There are far more important things going on at the moment but we will obviously have to sit down at some stage to see what is going to happen. For now it is more important that the team is doing well.

“I still feel I’ve got a few years left in me but to be honest I wasn’t too pleased with my performance on Tuesday night against Cardiff.

"It could have been a bit better but I’d been out for a while. I’ve started nine league games this season — eight wins and a draw — so I like to think I’ve been effective.

“Is Mick McCarthy aware of the stats? Yes, because I told him what they were. But it was in a cheeky, good-humoured way and I wasn’t trying to pick his team for him.

"Two minutes later I was saying to myself ‘Why the hell did I say that?’ But he knows me and what I’m like.

“If I’d played really well on Tuesday I wouldn’t have had to say anything but I think I better keep my mouth shut. I didn’t do anything wrong but I wasn’t exceptional either and I probably would have had to be exceptional to stay in the team.

“I’m happy enough — three games to go and hopefully I’ll have a part to play. There’s never a good time to go knocking on his door but this definitely isn’t.”

Photo: Action Images

truckertractorboy added 07:16 - Apr 17 I like his passion but really is he the way forward . He was bloody awful on tuesday
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TownieRob added 08:32 - Apr 17 Players don't necessarily have to have their best games on the ball to not be effective, his energy levels, enthusiasm, willingness to put in a shift yet composure on the ball must be a pleasure to play alongside and like Skuse sets the message for the rest of the other players to follow. I would be more than happy to see him in a Town shirt next season.
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Kirbmeister added 13:34 - Apr 17 Like Hunt says 'started 9 games, 8 wins and one draw'.
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BackTheBlues added 13:57 - Apr 17 Whether you think he is a good player or not, what he definitely is, is a great person to have in the dressing room! Bouncing around picking everybody up and getting them going! I'd pay his wages just to have him on the bench next year so he is around the club!
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Seasider added 16:15 - Apr 17 Hope he gets a game tomorrow as he will be really up for it! Apparently has scored some vital goals for Wolves towards end of season;so hope he plays and opens his account for Town just like Skusey did on Tuesday. Apart from one headed goal Jay Tabb seems to lose his nerve when in penalty area,gets tackled or passes mostly whereas Stephen would really give it a go especially against his old club.

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