Blues boss Paul Jewell says it might be best if striker Nathan Ellington and midfielder or full-back Jaime Peters move on during the close season. The duo have a year remaining on their current deals but played little part during 2011/12.
Ellington, who last week said that he might favour a move to play more regular football, made only three starts — just one in the league — and 14 sub appearances without scoring after signing on a free transfer from Watford last summer.
Jewell admits that the 30-year-old, who was a key member of his promotion-winning Wigan side, has failed to make much of an impression at Portman Road: "He’s been disappointing Duke, there’s no two ways about it.
"I see him every day in training and I saw a piece where he said he hadn’t had a chance, but what he does in training, or what he doesn’t do, or what other people do in training can highly influence my decision on a Saturday.
"He hasn’t had a run in the team, there’s no doubt about that, but since he left Wigan he hasn’t really had a run in anyone’s team. Maybe he’s one that might have to leave in the summer.
"If Duke wants to move, he can, it’s not a problem. I know Nathan from Wigan and if he looks at himself - and I don’t want this to be a slagging match because it isn’t - he hasn’t done it since he left Wigan.
"Watford, I took him to Derby, he played in a pretty average environment there in fairness to him. Then he went to Greece, then he went to Preston. This was a great opportunity for him and he’s a great lad, but he just hasn’t done it.”
But the Town manager isn’t entirely ruling out Ellington getting back to his best and while he’s still at Portman Road says he’ll remain in contention: "He’s got a year to go on his contract and you never say never. As long someone’s here and working hard, I’ve always got time for them, but sometimes it might be better for someone to move on.”
As for Peters, Town’s longest-serving player having initially impressed in a trial in 2004, Jewell admits that the 24-year-old, whose only appearance for the Blues in 2011/12 came in the Carling Cup loss to Northampton, hasn’t had too many opportunities since he took over at Portman Road in January last year.
The Canadian international spent time on loan in League One towards the end of last year where the Blues boss says he failed to impress: "Jaime went to Bournemouth and Bournemouth didn’t want to keep him. I think it’s about time Jaime moved on as well.
"I know he’s a bit of a fans’ favourite and everything else and he hasn’t had a look-in for me, but where would I play him? Carlos has done exceptionally well, Lee Martin’s done well on the right, so has JET, so there’s been no room for him.”