Blues midfielder Alan Judge has been confirmed in a reduced 23-man Republic of Ireland squad for the European Championships qualifiers against Gibraltar and Georgia during the international break with talks ongoing between his agent and Town owner Marcus Evans regarding his future.
Judge, 30, who has previously won five full caps and has scored one international goal, has been hugely impressive since joining Town on a short-term contract for a nominal fee from Brentford in January.
"I know they’re talking, I think Marcus and Judgey’s agent are talking away there,” manager Paul Lambert said when asked about Judge’s situation with the Blues having an option to keep him for a further year which the player has said "more in the club’s favour” previously.
"I’ve left it with them, they know my feelings on it and he’s been absolutely brilliant for us since he came in.
"I guess he’s looking for a wee goal to kickstart him on that side of it but his level of performance has been extremely high.
"[He just needs to find his shooting boots] because he’s causing teams a helluva lot of problems, that’s for sure.”
Former Blues boss Mick McCarthy’s first Ireland squad meet up on Sunday 17th March before travelling to Gibraltar for their first game on Saturday 23rd March, prior to hosting the Georgians in Dublin on Tuesday 26th March.
Also in the squad are ex-Town striker David McGoldrick and one-time midfielder Conor Hourihane.
Republic of Ireland: Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Mark Travers (Bournemouth), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Richard Keogh (Derby County), John Egan (Sheffield United), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Alan Judge (Ipswich Town), Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Harry Arter (Cardiff City), Glenn Whelan (Aston Villa), Robbie Brady (Burnley), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (Stoke City), Shane Long (Southampton), Sean Maguire (Preston North End), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth), David McGoldrick (Sheffield United), James Collins (Luton Town).