Town boss Paul Jewell has revealed that striker Connor Wickham has extended his Blues contract until 2014. The England U21 international turned 18 last week, allowing him to sign a longer term deal, his previous contract having taken him up to 2013.

Jewell said: “He’s extended it to 2014, which is good, but it won’t stop the speculation. It means that we’re committed to Connor and he’s committed to us.

“It’s good news. An awful lot’s spoken about Connor, he’s such a young lad and I’m very keen to keep a lot of speculation and a lot of talk away from him.

“But, he’s done terrifically well, he’s got a lot to learn and hopefully he can learn a lot here, produce the goods and get to where he wants to be with us. That would be utopia.”

However, the Town manager is well aware that Wickham’s latest deal won’t stop the speculation about his future and won’t necessarily ensure he remains at Portman Road: “Every player has a price, but I’m not looking to sell Connor Wickham and I don’t think Connor Wickham’s looking to leave.

“If someone came in with a silly offer and he wanted to go, we’d have to listen to it. But that would be the same for any player. “

Wickham has been linked with all the top Premier League clubs since joining the Blues from Reading as an academy schoolboy after his serviceman father was posted to Colchester.

Tottenham are widely understood to be the club most keen to sign him in the summer, although manager Harry Redknapp has played down his interest in the £10 million-rated frontman in recent weeks.

Photo: Action Images

bluewein added 10:18 - Apr 8 Guaranteed big fee for him if he goes then.
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rayman_10 added 10:19 - Apr 8 Good!
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TractorRoyNo1 added 10:19 - Apr 8 well done all, not mr redcrapp 'put up or shut up'!
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Wallingford_Boy added 10:19 - Apr 8 Old news Phil.... zzzzzzzzzzzzz
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Karlosfandangal added 10:28 - Apr 8 Thats good news as it also shows to the other player (McAuley,Norris) we are trying to keep the good players at the club and build for the futrue, If we can secure the type of players like Bullard and Dyer then we will be a force next year. Wickham maybe that 20 a season man next year as if you wanted to leave the club why would you sign a new deal
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StuartFrost added 10:31 - Apr 8 Brilliant news, glad to see he is committed to ITFC.
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HighgateBlue added 10:32 - Apr 8 This is very good news relating to a player's contract. I assume that means that people will have the decency to give Clegg some credit? Oh. Maybe not then.
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stringtheory added 10:36 - Apr 8 Well done Simon Clegg!!
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Garv added 10:36 - Apr 8 Interestingly no decent words to be said about Clegg regarding this deal, yet when a player doesn't sign its all his fault. I can honestly see Wickham getting 20+ goals next season, he's got 7 in the second half of the season (three more to come on derby day) and coincidentally just as Jewell came in, so with a good pre-season and no injuries it could be his year.
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Keaneish added 10:41 - Apr 8 I'm more interested in knowing who's going to partner him! In my opinion there's no point selling him just yet. If he stays another year or two he'll still be under 20 and will command a big fee, injuries and a form pending. Time to invest in a potent strike force.
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TractorRoyNo1 added 10:46 - Apr 8 there's an argument that the more he plays the less he will be worth, Wegner has already written him off as a 'Joe Bugner'
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rosseden added 10:56 - Apr 8 ''Wickham maybe that 20 a season man next year as if you wanted to leave the club why would you sign a new deal'' im guessing there is a two fold thing here..... CW 'i want more money' SC&ME 'extend the deal on improved terms then' works for both parties...... ME hasnt got to where he is by giving things away, the guy is a trader, so for everything he gives, we'll get something back..... unlike Mr Rednapp, who it seems in currently intent on taking Spurs where he took Pompey before...... to the administrators!

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Sindre94 added 10:59 - Apr 8 NICE
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Garv added 11:16 - Apr 8 Interestingly no decent words to be said about Clegg regarding this deal, yet when a player doesn't sign its all his fault. I can honestly see Wickham getting 20+ goals next season, he's got 7 in the second half of the season (three more to come on derby day) and coincidentally just as Jewell came in, so with a good pre-season and no injuries it could be his year.
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JewellsRimet added 11:22 - Apr 8 Here's the plan Connor gets 20 goals next season, Billy Sharpe gets the other 20, promotion, Connor stays another season ensuring we stay up,he leaves for big money which we reinvest to ensure stability, Connor does a Walky and comes back at the end of his career to become another ITFC legend. no harm in dreams!!!
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Barhamblue added 11:32 - Apr 8 Connor is a real honorable fella and a true blue. He has never once got carried away with all the speculation and always stated he wishes to play his football here and help us get to the premier league We should applaud his family too. Well done Jewely, top man!
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clive_baker added 11:35 - Apr 8 Great news, meand if we keep him here for next season we wont be looking at a reduced fee this time next year if we dont go up. Lets play him up top with a goalscorer off him, keep hold of Bullard, sign up Macauley, Delaney and Norris, flog Priskin and we're pretty much there! COYB!
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BlueJewells added 11:49 - Apr 8 i say sell him for £14m
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devontractorboy added 11:52 - Apr 8 He signed the deal so the club can get more money for him, reckon he'll be off in the summer. If we get enough to rebuild our squad for a promotion push it may just be worth losing him.
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itfc1981 added 11:57 - Apr 8 only sell for 57 billion
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jas0999 added 12:14 - Apr 8 Always happy to give credit where it is due and Clegg has done well on this occasion. Now let's hope he continues the trend in dealing with the other contracts and hopefully promptly sealing signings in the Summer.
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BlueVelvet added 12:39 - Apr 8 no contractural need for a new deal, ITFC just wanted to up the value of CW by exteding the contract by a year. Whats in it for CW - they offered him more money per week, which in cumulative terms would amount to 25% to 50% of the added value of CW. I'd say that the extra value added to CW price would be £2m therefore CW wage increase amounts to between £3.5k and £7k per week. Am I wirte Clegg, or did you put your finger in the air?

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blue_em_away added 12:59 - Apr 8 Wallingford_Boy Unfair comment at Phil. This is not old news unless you consider a matter of hours old.
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brian_a_mul added 13:13 - Apr 8 Great news! He is obviously commited to Town and doing his best to get the club promoted. Now PJ can realistically shape next seasons team with Connor as a key player. Im looking forward to next season already!
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itfc4eva added 13:16 - Apr 8 best news i have heard all day.
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