Town boss Paul Jewell says he has given the agents representing Colin Healy and Brian Murphy a deadline by which time the duo should have signed their deals. The Blues manager has confirmed that keeper Arran Lee-Barrett’s agent has been given the keeper’s new contract offer.
Jewell says he expects fellow custodian Murphy and midfielder Healy to sign soon: "We have made them offers and we have told their agents that they need to get back to us by certain dates but I’m pretty confident with them.”
The Blues boss reiterated that he has been pleased with the out of contract players’ attitudes since he has been at the club: "Without going over old ground, the players have been terrific, their attitudes have been spot on since I’ve been here.
"If they sign I’ll be delighted, if they don’t sign that’s their prerogative and we will move on. However, I’d like to move on with those players.”
Jewell says the reaction to Simon Clegg’s comments regarding the club not being held to ransom has been overstated: "The players are asking for what they think is right for their families. We don’t have to give it to them if we don’t want to.
"I think when you get held to ransom you’ve got a gun to your head. I don’t think there are any guns to our head.
"I think sometimes things get blown up out of all proportion," he added. "There’s no big drama. If you went to the game on Saturday you wouldn’t think that the players aren’t happy.”
Earlier in the week, Arran Lee-Barrett said that he was yet to see his new terms but the Blues boss says the club have spoken to his representative: "We’ve made an offer to his agent, so maybe he’s keeping it from him!”
Last week, Jewell revealed that he has offered contracts to six first and second-year pros and says he has also made a decision on Bermudian international winger Reggie Lambe: "I spoke to Reggie Lambe’s agent on Monday evening. He’s at Bristol Rovers and enjoying himself there. I need to speak to Reggie before we make an announcement.
"Jamie Griffiths and David Cawley are both injured. That’s a difficult situation that we have to deal with which is a bit more complicated than the others.”