Town boss Mick McCarthy he would expect that skipper Luke Chambers will get a new contract. The 31-year-old’s current terms are up at the end of the season, although the Blues have an option for a further season.

Chambers was interesting his former club Nottingham Forest on deadline day but McCarthy stopped the move from taking place.

The Blues manager is a huge fan of his captain, who played today despite cracking two ribs when scoring Town’s goal at Brighton on Tuesday and says he anticipates him getting a new contract.

“If you read my programme notes I waxed lyrical about him,” McCarthy said. “I think he’s been an example to every professional footballer, any kid.

“On deadline day [there was interest from Forest], he’s not got a new contract here yet, although playing as a centre-half I would expect that he would get one now, we have discussed that.

“To have been offered a contract for another two years at Nottingham Forest, he never asked to leave, but he’s got [to have] security for his family, so he would have had his head turned a bit. But he knuckled down, even on the day, he’s been brilliant.

“I see so many players that when they get disappointed they down tools, not purposely, some do because some are like that, but others are 10 per cent beneath their best, they’ve downed tools up here.

“But he has been brilliant. He is just top class as a pro and a captain. I can’t speak highly enough of him.

“And he had been up until that point. I’ve said before, he’s as good a captain, if not the best captain, I’ve ever had. He’s been terrific, so well done to him.”

McCarthy says Chambers didn’t appear to be hampered by his rib injury: “He’s got two cracked ribs, he’s not kidding. The pain relief must be working, whatever it is. He must have a good pain threshold.”

Photo: TWTD

TractorCam added 18:46 - Feb 18 It's a disgrace how he hasn't been offered one yet
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itfc94 added 18:50 - Feb 18 I'm thinking Chambers expressed his annoyance at playing out of position. Fingers crossed he gets a new contract, really like the bloke and his attitude towards the club. Much better at CB. I expect Berra to move on so keeping Chambers is a must - great mentor for the likes of Webster and Tommy, could be a good back 3 next year? Kenlock and Emmanuel making up the wing backs?

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Mark added 18:53 - Feb 18 Superb attitude from Luke, he richly deserves a new contract (on reasonable wages of course). Far better in a back three than right-back.
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gamezone added 18:53 - Feb 18 He deserves the very best, should double his wage and contract length. Absoulete legend, him and Tommy Smith together, couldn't wish for better.
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christiand added 19:00 - Feb 18 I think we need to show our captain a bit of loyalty and commitment, like he has done for us. That is a monumental effort to play with two cracked ribs that's a leader, which we desperately need especially moving forwards next season. We seem to be getting things right on the pitch, just hope the club off the pitch start to pull their fingers out!
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brazilblue added 19:15 - Feb 18 We are lucky to have Mick. Take a look at the expenditure of all the teams in the top 10, he is optimizing the little resources we have and doing an outstanding job. How many of us vehemently berated the signings of diagoraga and Huws? I will be hoping the white wizard stays on!
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brazilblue added 19:15 - Feb 18 We are lucky to have Mick. Take a look at the expenditure of all the teams in the top 10, he is optimizing the little resources we have and doing an outstanding job. How many of us vehemently berated the signings of diagoraga and Huws? I will be hoping the white wizard stays on!
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Len_Brennan added 19:15 - Feb 18 How can Mick talk about him getting a new contract due to his centre half pedigree, without holding his hands up for playing him out of position for 3 years. It's not as though the fans hadn't seen the problem almost straight away. Most fans supported Luke & called for him to be played in centre as opposed to the few who gave him unwarranted abuse.
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TheBlueBookie added 19:18 - Feb 18 Deserves one too, puts 100% in game after game
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jas0999 added 19:45 - Feb 18 I thought Evans had learnt from previous mistakes of letting contracts run down? Chambers is our Captain and a deal, even if it's triggering the extension should have happened months ago. Shame on Evans.
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Bluetone added 20:12 - Feb 18 It's a disgrace how he has been played out of position for so long,
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runningout added 20:18 - Feb 18 not so positive.. sometimes you need to be cruel to be kind to club and player
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Gazelle added 20:38 - Feb 18 No on is more pleased than I am to see Luke restored to his rightful position. He is a fine centre half and an even better captain and all those who have criticised him over the last few years should come on here and say so.
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miltonsnephew added 21:06 - Feb 18 I just hope Luke isn't awaiting to see if Mick is still around next season. (How would we know?) And how do we know Luke hasn't signed a pre contract agreement like he did to come here on a free. Because he is in his last few months he can sign and agree a pre contract agreement to sign for a new team when his contract expires. (Like he did to come here.)
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miltonsnephew added 21:10 - Feb 18 And why would Luke go now (In the window) for say £750k-£1.25mill he could go to forest for nothing in the summer and because he was free Forest would offer higher wages. Also Luke wouldn't of gone because in the window Forest were struggling, at the end of the season Luke would know if Forest have gone down or not and if we were Relegated or not. I don't think this transfer is over just yet!

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heathen66 added 21:14 - Feb 18 Why offer him a new contract when we have the option of another season. He will be 33 after that (and is not blessed with pace now) and has not commanded one of the 2 CB positions for the last 3 years. I would suggest that Taylor is signed and we play any 2 or 3 from Chambers, Webster, Smith and Taylor. I beleive the only reason we have gone 3/5 at the back is to accommodate Chambers and not get the stick for playing him at RB all the time. In fairness Chambers performances have also improved in this new position

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ArnieM added 21:26 - Feb 18 Chambo = the epitome of PROFESSIONALISM.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 21:29 - Feb 18 Come on, disgrace. Really? The fact that we didn't do the business with forrest shows the club's feeling towards Chambo. The fact is Chambo would find another club with ease, he's been a top captain and had had Micks backing year on year. Unlike many on this forum, Mick has always been full of praise for chambers and that should tell him all he needs to know. To see the club being called a disgrace for apply the terms of an agreed contact is frankly ridiculous especially in a time where players weild so much power. Let's all get a little perspective shall we? All parties knew the terms when the contract was signed. Chambo is a top pro and for the last 2 seasons up there with the best of Town cult hero's. This season this forum turned on him rather too quickly, Mick didn't. Yes, it's fair to say that Chambo should have been at CB all this time ans yes an up turn in forms demonstrates that BUT none the less Chambo has been vilified on here at times and tio now have a go at the club wanting to fully assess its options is insane. The word disgrace is banded about these days and this is a prime example. I never doubted at the very least that his extension would be triggered. Why would anyone think anything else

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BlueandTruesince82 added 22:06 - Feb 18 Heathen the club has an option of an additional yr which they can trigger between now and the end of the season IF he did give it would be the club's decision to release him by not triggering that extension
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wayway added 22:53 - Feb 18 We are lucky to have Mick??? What planet are these people on. Two home draws and all the negative football, hoofball and 'Different Class Dougie' are quickly forgotten. The sooner this dinosaur leaves this club the better. Mark Warburton should be snapped up as soon as possible
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wayway added 22:54 - Feb 18 We are lucky to have Mick??? What planet are these people on. Two home draws and all the negative football, hoofball and 'Different Class Dougie' are quickly forgotten. The sooner this dinosaur leaves this club the better. Mark Warburton should be snapped up as soon as possible
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Blandford added 11:02 - Feb 19 I agree that playing as a centre back Luke Chambers deserves a new contract. However in defense of Mr Evans (and it is very rare I will say anything positive about our absentee owner) he is not likely to offer new contracts until we are guaranteed to be a championship club next year.
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chevvymalc added 12:03 - Feb 19 At central defence he more than deserves one but if he is put at right back again he should leave himself as its a waste of time and just draws derogatory remarks which can't do his future prospects any good!!!!!!!!!!
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blueblood_soldier added 12:43 - Feb 19 Please correct me if I'm wrong but I thought chambo can't sign a pre contract as he doesn't know if the club is going to extend his current one?? I thought if the club had the option of an extention then the cards are in the club's hands?? How could he sign for forest in the summer without our permission!!
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howdonblue added 15:34 - Feb 19 I agree that if chambers is going to be asked to play right back why would he want to stay ? But as he is now proving at centre half he is as good as any other at the club . This is what has annoyed me with Mick ! And of course our Crap board
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