Centre-half Gareth McAuley hopes that loan signing Kieron Dyer will stay with the Blues beyond his initial month. McAuley, Town's star performer during Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Leeds, is amongst the legion of players out of contract at the end of the season, along with central defensive partner Damien Delaney, who says he has still heard nothing regarding new terms at Town.
McAuley says he was delighted to see Dyer arrive for training at Portman Road on Friday: "Kieron's quality and it would be great if we keep him.
"Everyone wants to move forward at this club and with the type of player Kieron is and with this being his club, then maybe we've a chance.
"Kieron just arrived out of the blue but we know what he's like because he's been down to watch us a lot as Ipswich are his team.
"So it's great for him to be back here and getting games in, and it is good for us as well because of what he can offer our team.”
Delaney, who also impressed at Elland Road, says he is still to receive a contract offer: "Has anything moved? I’m waiting to get going! But I have heard not a word from anyone.
"I am comfortable with the situation. If the club wants us, they want us, but I am not going to go cap in hand, begging for a contract. If they want us, they know where we are.
"I have said countless times how much I want to stay. Everybody knows that. I love the area, and I love playing for this club.”
McAuley and skipper David Norris turned down contract offers before Christmas, while Colin Healy, Brian Murphy, Alan Quinn and Arran Lee-Barrett are other senior players whose deals come to an end in the summer. Carlos Edwards has triggered a clause in his contract which means he is set to remain at Portman Road for a further year.
On-loan pair Pablo Couñago and Kevin Lisbie’s terms are also up, while 11 first and second-year pros have contracts which end in June.