Boss Roy Keane says Town will soon begin contract talks with some of the 21 players whose deals are up at the end of the season. Skipper David Norris heads a list which also includes defenders Gareth McAuley and Damien Delaney and young midfielder Luke Hyam.
Keane says the contract situation is something which the club will be looking to address in the short-term: "That’s the priority over the next few months, tying down players like David Norris, who are out of contract at the end of the season.”
The full list of those whose terms run to June 2011 is Brian Murphy, Gareth McAuley, Damien Delaney, Carlos Edwards, David Norris, Arran Lee-Barrett, Ian McLoughlin, Alan Quinn, Luke Hyam, Troy Brown, Tom Eastman, Colin Healy, Billy Clark, Reggie Lambe, Ronan Murray, Jack Ainsley, David Cawley, Jamie Griffiths and Conor Hourihane, plus Pablo Couñago and Kevin Lisbie, who are out on loan for the season at Crystal Palace and Millwall respectively.
Keane is yet to hold talks regarding his own contract, which is also up at the end of the season, but says he’s in no panic about it: "I’ve signed a two-year deal and I’ve still got a few months left on it.
"No one was concerned about my contract last year. I’m dead relaxed about it, the owner knows I’m dead chilled out about it.”
The Town manager has handed left-back Seb Dunbar a contract extension until January, the first-year pro having previously been given until September to prove himself. Keane feels that the 18-year-old has done enough but didn’t go overboard with praise for the reserves regular: "He’s done OK, he’s got until January.”
Keane says there have been no loan enquiries for his youngsters and is happy for them to remain at Portman Road, particularly with the Millwall Carling Cup match coming up when a number of them will play a part.