Luke Chambers has admitted to being saddened by the club’s failure to speak to him about a new contract to replace his current deal, which as it stands expires in June.

While manager Mick McCarthy has offered a strong hint that Town will probably exercise their option of a 12-month extension, the lack of certainty about his Portman Road future is clearly playing on the mind of the ex-Nottingham Forest defender who has clocked up 219 appearances since being signed in July 2012 by then boss Paul Jewell.

Chambers said: “I’ve got six months left on my contract and the club have an option for another year. But nothing’s been said yet, so I don’t know what’s going to happen, to be honest.

“I’m very happy here and I think people have seen the way I play for the football club. I think I’ve given absolutely everything, both on and off the pitch. So that’s where we are. I’d like to stay but I just don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Chambers, his wife and their young family are settled in Ipswich but a national newspaper recently linked him with a move to Wolves. When asked if there was any truth in the report, the player responded: “You’ll have to ask them. I don’t know anything more than what I’ve read.

“There have been a couple of conversations with the club but that’s about it. So it is what it is, it’s football.

“There’s been a lot of talk about loyalty in the game but I don’t think there is. We’ll just have to wait and see.

“I think the club should have done something before now but it’s not something I really want to get into. Do I feel let down? I don’t know really.

“It’s a very difficult situation and it’s difficult to talk about. Anything I say can be misconstrued. Am I frustrated? I’ll probably keep that to myself but I haven’t missed many games in my time here and to be down to the last six months of my contract is a little bit strange.”

But while his future remains unresolved, at least for the time being, Chambers is loath to criticise either owner Marcus Evans or manager Mick McCarthy at a time when Town are under pressure from fans, whose interest is on the wane after a depressing run of form.

The captain said: “I can never criticise the owner because he’s put in a hell of a lot of money and it’s not my position to criticise him. He brought me into the club, he’s looked after me with a good contract and I’ve been here a long time. We’ve had relative success.

“There may be things where you think ‘If we’d just done that’ but at the end of the day it’s his club, he’s spent a fortune on the training ground and he’s got his plan.

“All I can talk about is the first team squad and I do think we need some signings. But he’ll be trying to do deals.

“As players we would like two or three players to come through the door and make a difference. The club will be desperately trying to make signings who can make a difference for us.

They’re not just going to bring in anyone and they never have done that. I think most of the players who have been brought in have generally made an impact and we need that now.

“We’d love to have some new players in because we don’t want to stand still. We’re not just happy coming in to pick up our wages and going home. We want to win. It’s as hard for us and we feel it every bit as much as the fans.

“Do you think we want to go out there, lose and then get booed and abused? I don’t. I don’t need to do that.

“I’ve played about 600 games in my career and I don’t need to go out to play on a Saturday and be unhappy.

“I want to be happy, as the fans do. They want to be entertained and they want to be happy winning games, just as we do.”

Photo: TWTD

Kentish_Tractor added 18:24 - Jan 13 I think the club is waiting to see what happens with Webster. If Webster goes, I think we'll offer Chambers an extension (cheaper than signing a replacement). While I do feel sorry for Chambers a little (it's not his fault he's played hopelessly out of position every week) - he isn't good enough to be in out first choice centre-back pairing - that belongs to Smith and Webster for me. Luke is very good backup though there. Hopefully Mick has finally seen that Luke is not our long term future at right back. Although to be fair - from the club's perspective - we can extend his contract for another 12 months any time we like, so why is there a need to offer him a longer term deal now? As they say, there's no loyalty in football anymore.

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bostonusablue added 18:25 - Jan 13 You don't deserve a new contract based on this seasons performances.
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Radlett_blue added 18:32 - Jan 13 Looks like more mis-management. Luke is captain & a regular starter. Yes, we have an option, but if we don't intend to exercise it, shouldn't we let him know & then we could even get a fee? Can't be helping his performances.
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OwainG1992 added 18:34 - Jan 13 I feel sorry for Chambers personally. If he was left alone at centre back we'd have one of the best in the league. He got chucked at RB as a 'tempory' measure which has lasted years. Deserves a new deal but only as a CB.
17

carlo88 added 18:46 - Jan 13 Unusually honest for a footballer, to his credit.
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jas0999 added 18:47 - Jan 13 Sadly, this demonstrates the sorry and disgusting state of the club under Marcus Evans. Whatever your view on Chambers, his service to the club and effort can not be doubted. He deserves better treatment.
27

Terry_Nutkins added 18:50 - Jan 13 100% deserves a new contract. Selfless player who has, without moaning played out of position for much of his time. Fantastic leader who has endured terrible abuse from so called fans.
20

multiplescoregasms added 18:53 - Jan 13 I can understand if he is slightly p*ssed off at the club, but sadly that is the game of modern football. I hope he stays, but if a club comes in for him, Wolves for instance, and they want him to play at CB instead of RB, who could blame him for moving? Perhaps Dino sees Tommy Smith as a perfect replacement for him at RB if he does leave?? I wouldn't put it past him.

6

Miles added 18:53 - Jan 13 It looks and feels like we just need someone to come in and brighten up the place. It's so doom and gloom so hopefully when/if we sign someone they will come in with a buzzing attitude and bring some life to the place. We are struggling so much at the minute we all just need something to cheer about!
4

Pip50 added 18:55 - Jan 13 What a pants set up, this is the skipper for fcuk sake like it or not some respect needed. I'm a MM hater but starting to turn. Maybe it's not his fault but the nonces in charge. Well if there is anyone in charge lol.
6

Brownie added 19:07 - Jan 13 I've said all along Chambo is my favourite town player but he is not a right back. To his credit he has done his best there for 3 years. His attitude & commitment is beyond question. The club is at a cross roads. Time to invest & in my view time to change the manager. However I would give Chambers a new contract but the big picture is get the team. We need new players Mr Evans.. COYB!

4

muccletonjoe added 19:09 - Jan 13 We have not progressed from finishing in top six and i think he knows it is Evans who is to blame. You do not buy into a football club to give up on it after a couple of years
5

bedsitfc added 19:14 - Jan 13 As others have said Deserves new contract. The passion he shows and his leadership warrant it. He gets a rough deal from some supporters but it's not his fault he is played out of position
9

Mark added 19:21 - Jan 13 We definitely need characters like Chambers, and I appreciate his hard work, passion and desire. He has been unfortunate to be played at right-back so much when he'd rather be in the centre, but with Berra, Smith and Webster at the club there is little chance of that. Uncertainty isn't nice for anyone, but all he can do is keep trying his best and be part of trying to turn Ipswich's fortunes round this season. I wonder if the club feels that Emmanuel will be good enough to take the right-back position? The 19-year-old looks to have the physical attributes and will be able to get forward (and recover with pace) more than Chambers. Luke will be 33 in September and I dare say is on a fair whack salary wise, so perhaps the club will see a cheaper option in progressing Emmanuel and bringing in someone else as cover.

3

bbg added 19:31 - Jan 13 If you have a squad whose net value and talent is vastly less than the teams you are competing with, it makes perfect sense to me to seek solid defenders and hard working players in all positions and choose your tactics accordingly. MM is not the first manager to use a CB in one of the FB positions. Many clubs now play with 3 centre backs anyway. So where this outrage is coming from re Chambers as a FB is a mystery to me. Has anyone heard of Tony Pulis, he plays a 6'2” centre back at RB and often another one at LB, and they seem to do OK. When I watch other teams as a neutral, I seek open attaching football the same as everyone else, but no one should be foolish enough to think that the likes of MM, two championship titles with 2 different clubs, and Pulis achieved what they have without knowing the game.

1

runningout added 19:34 - Jan 13 if we are seeing the best from our squad, then only two deserve any hint of a contract
0

hoppy added 20:01 - Jan 13 I really ought to have zoomed in on my phone to read that... I read it as "...the ex-Nottingham Forest defender who has cocked up 219 appearances since being signed in July 2012 by then boss Paul Jewell."
0

ArnieM added 20:09 - Jan 13 Maybe it's time for the fans to give Chambers a bit if verbal from the SBR ....ONE F LUCKIN CHAMBERS. ... THERE'S ONLY ONE F LUCKIN CHAMBERS
2

blueboy1981 added 20:28 - Jan 13 ......... in other words Chambo is not at all happy right now - just like many other players in the squad. But, of course, he just like the Supporters - NOT allowed to voice an opinion.
0

blueboy1981 added 20:39 - Jan 13 ......... nothing about our Club makes good, or positive reading anymore. Having followed, and supported this Club for 50+ years - I cannot tolerate such a demise any longer, and will from now on devote my time, and money, in the direction of another interest - until such times as change in a positive direction takes place. Maybe a long, long wait unfortunately.
2

casanovacrow added 20:58 - Jan 13 Maybe we couldn't afford him if we get relegated? Right now relegation is definitely a possibility
6

braveblue added 21:03 - Jan 13 We should say thanks and let him go. The way the club is run is a complete joke.
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parkinshair added 21:13 - Jan 13 I agree Casanovacrow and was typeing the same thing until I saw your post. As club captain he will be a high earner and relegation is still a possibility.
0

evansblue added 21:41 - Jan 13 Evans and Milne are absolutely clueless. I said on twitter earlier that there can't be two people at any club in the top 4 divisions with less knowledge on football than these two. Chambers is the captain, a model pro and has played wherever he has been asked. A proper club would be looking to the future and getting him involved in coaching for when his playing days are over. He is a manager in the making. If our captain is a bit frustrated with i gas behind the scenes then there is a strong possibility others are also.

6

christiand added 22:26 - Jan 13 I think it comes solely down to money. Chambers will be a high earner and look how our owner operates when it comes to money. In football terms, I bet ME squeaks when he walks, he is so tight!! I really can't understand his approach, is he trying to get us relegated? If so, what finiacial benefit would that be to him?
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