Town owner Marcus Evans is set to hold a meeting with midfielder Josh Carson’s agent regarding a new contract for the Northern Ireland international. The 18-year-old’s current terms are up at the end of the season.

Manager Paul Jewell said: “I spoke to Marcus during the week and he’s trying to set up a meeting with his agent.

“I talked to his agent in the summer and it’s a bit of an ongoing thing, but we’re very hopeful we can tie Josh up because we want to keep him here.”

Regarding skipper Grant Leadbitter, who is also amongst the 18 players whose current deal is up at some point between now and the summer, the Blues boss says there have been no new developments: “There’s no progress on Grant. We haven’t spoken to Grant.

“There are a few players out of contract, as we all know, and at the moment there’s no dialogue [with Grant]. There was at the start of the season, but as far as I’m aware it’s on hold at the moment.”

Carson has been in the squad for the last two games but has failed to make the 16 but looks likely to come into the picture for Saturday, although Jewell wouldn’t confirm his inclusion against Doncaster: “Josh is always an option but there are plenty of options when you’ve got a squad.

“It’s a squad game, as I’ve said on lots of occasions. Someone’s misfortune with injury or loss of form might be someone else’s good fortune.”

Jewell has admitted being impressed with the Northern Irishman’s recent form in training with the midfielder’s academy team-mate Cody Cropper tweeting a similar view yesterday: “Josh Carson was on fire today in training!”

Carson was in the reserves side which lost 2-1 to Arsenal on Tuesday and was one of a number of players the Town manager feels will have benefited from the match: “Some people needed the game. Some people haven’t played for a while, Lee Martin and people like that, so it was good for them to get a game.

“I’ll take on board how the reserves played and the attitude of the players was first class. With the injuries, there might be an opportunity for some players who haven’t been in the team on Saturday and it’s up them to try and take it.”

Martin, who hasn’t played since angering his manager with his red card at Peterborough, could also be in with a chance of a return to the side or at least the squad: “Like every other player who is available for selection, Lee is in consideration. If he gets a call, he’ll certainly be ready.”

Colin Healy, whose only game this season was in the Carling Cup against Northampton in August, was also involved with the reserves and Jewell says the 31-year-old Irishman and the other fringe players all still have a chance of making a return to the first team: “I spoke with Colin last week. Colin’s a good professional and he just wants to play. He’s frustrated he’s not playing, like all players.

“I don’t like the word ‘off-load’, if something comes up that suits us and suits him, maybe we’ll listen to it.

“The likes of Colin, Lee Martin, Josh Carson, Tommy Smith and all those players who haven’t been in the picture, the door is never shut.

“As far as I’m concerned, as long they’re giving their best and trying their best in training every day, they’ll always be considered.”

Photo: Action Images

itfc1981 added 08:54 - Nov 4 Clegg busy then? :)
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suffolkpoker added 09:33 - Nov 4 i was about to say the same thing itfc1981, i think one of the biggest changes under PJ is that PJ and evans seems to have a more of a role of contracts etc.
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blueherts added 09:35 - Nov 4 One for the future - unfortunately Footballers have no say nowadays - agents run the show - sad , I really hope we can keep him .
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arablue added 09:40 - Nov 4 Evans a deal maker whilst Clegg is an administrator...Clegg's limitation in doing deals and contract nego shown the last 3 years...
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blueherts added 09:41 - Nov 4 Football agents - scum , like the Unions - when they started they were there to protect the workers , now its just keeping themselves well 'looked after' - rant over , back to Donny COYB - Carson and Creswell to start
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blueherts added 09:41 - Nov 4 Arablue - spot on
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itfc1981 added 09:42 - Nov 4 suffolkpoker. After Clegg's glorious record in that field, I suspect he just wanted to give the others a chance. ;)
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newtownfan added 10:56 - Nov 4 Glad to hear that contract talks are progressing for Josh, he's definately one to keep, if we don't sign him up for sure some other team will, and we will have again let a star slip through for some other league to capitalise on. Good luck on your terms Josh and hopefully you will get a start on Saturday.
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iamipswich added 11:07 - Nov 4 no mention of priskin...
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blueherts added 11:19 - Nov 4 What agent could honestly fight that corner ( Priskin!) . So much potential but never delivered ( exc for afew minutes at Emirates ) a poor return
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DiamondGezzer added 11:21 - Nov 4 He's obviously worked hard recently, good luck to him.
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pazelle added 11:53 - Nov 4 He doesn't like the word 'offload', but he is obviously looking to 'offload' Healy.
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safeashouses added 12:07 - Nov 4 Lets hope its an offer which reflects his ability and we dont let another young player slip the net. No real progression from academy anymore although some really talented players who deserve their chance.Perhaps some of those 18 out of contract will be replaced by some fresh young players in the summer!
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bobble added 12:12 - Nov 4 didnt keane sell him for 4 quid to aldershott ?
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Bergholtblue added 12:25 - Nov 4 I had completely forgot about Colin Healy! and I notice that he is 31 years old. Must be cert for saturday then, in to replace injured Bowyer.
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blueherts added 12:36 - Nov 4 Maybe at feels at 31, PJ feels Healy is not quite ready for the step up - couple more years he will be ready for it me thinks
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hogster1970 added 13:16 - Nov 4 well carson is quality we all know it, sound slike he does have a slight attitude problem, but again so did ranaldo and rooney and they never get dropped. me i think i dont care what guys do in training its what you do on a sat afternoon that counts thats were you get your points from, and thats how teams get promoted, you can train the best all week but if you play rubbish on match day then were is that going to get us aka leadbitter and one or two others, me i would like to see both carson and martin start on sat or at least carson on the right edwards on the left and reece at right back, with martin on the bench. we need pace and we need it now, pension day is over, so if it was me either play flat 4 with the wingers and bullard and andrews in the middle or go diamond with bullard at the top and andrews at the back , but i fell we can be to narrow but hey lets see.

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Pessimistic added 14:18 - Nov 4 Can we assume then that Shane O'Connor does not give his best in training then? It would appear so judging by Paul Jewell's comments above and the fact that he never even gets a metnion these days. Quite honestly though I find this a bit hard to believe but maybe there is more to this than meets the idea because Shane always gave his all when he was selected.
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blue_jim added 14:35 - Nov 4 Agree we should be using carson and martin on Saturday, plus Shane on bench at least, to give him a bit of confidence. If Leadbitter not happy with new deal, do not improve and see what happens. We can operate perfectly without him, then give captaincy to Andrews, after securing his sisnature.
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hogster1970 added 14:35 - Nov 4 yep i forgot about poor shane, mind you we have cressy now so sort of forgiven lol
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dirtydingusmagee added 14:41 - Nov 4 sign up Josh,good player ,with plenty of time to improve .
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blueherts added 15:14 - Nov 4 Re O Connor - I think PJ does not put up with any big time charlies , and nor should he , maybe some of the younger guys who get rave reveiws from likes of us - suddenly get bit cocky ?? we dont know what happens re training , turning up on time etc - maybe some have bad attitudes - Pj does have those old values which is good for him - remember this time last year we had zero wins ... Carson and Cresswell could be a great duo >??

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ITFC4daprem added 19:06 - Nov 4 give him a game
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