Town coach Tony Mowbray has been offered a new deal which will keep him at Portman Road for 2004/05. However, the contract has been offered on the understanding that Mowbray is allowed to take up a manager's job elsewhere should a suitable one become available.

Boss Joe Royle said: "I have been delighted with Tony's contribution. I would love him to stay and we have offered him something.

"Tony is a manager in waiting and we know he will make his own way eventually but until then he can make a big contribution to Ipswich."

Town's nine out-of-contract players will learn their futures on Monday or Tuesday of next week.

Royle says that up to now he has heard nothing regarding Charlton interest in striker Darren Bent.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls