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Lambert to Speak to Players on Monday - Ipswich Town News

Town boss Paul Lambert will speak to his players, including those who are out of contract this summer, on Monday following Sunday’s final match of the season against Leeds at Portman Road.

"Everybody will know on Monday what’s happening,” Lambert said. "The lads will know, and everybody will know what’s going to happen.

"Everybody will know the plan going forward from the day they come back, what the pre-season is and what to abide by and what to expect.

"Everybody knows because I’ve done that everywhere I’ve been. We wish the lads a good holiday when they go and you thank them for their effort, so it’s nothing new.”

Among those out of contract and whose futures haven’t already been confirmed is goalkeeper Dean Gerken and currently injured midfielders Grant Ward and Tom Adeyemi, while defenders Jonas Knudsen and Jordan Spence both appear certain to depart. James Collins and Simon Dawkins, who signed short-term deals in January will also be out of contract.

Asked whether any of them have asked him about their situation, Lambert added: "Not really, one or two have asked what’s happening, but all I said is everything will become clear on Monday.”

Regarding Knudsen’s situation, he said: "Jonas wanted to go in January, and it put the club in a position as well, but I couldn’t do anything about it because the decision was already made a year earlier that he wanted to go.

"We couldn’t really run with someone that didn’t really want to be here. It was dangerous for the club.

"I think everyone’s assumption was that Jonas was going to go [in January], but a team never came in, so the circumstance hasn’t changed, and I’m pretty he’ll want to leave.”

He says he’ll meet face to face with each of the players: "It’ll be one on one. It’s not any different because I’ve done that at every club I’ve been at really, so it’s just to tell them what’s happening, thanks very much and have a good break and look after yourself and come back refreshed and get ready to go again, but it will be hard.”

Following Monday's meeting the players will exit for the summer until returning for pre-season in late June.

Lambert says he’ll also meet with the players out on loan with Janoi Donacien currently at Accrington, Luke Woolfenden at Swindon and Danny Rowe and Jordan Roberts both at Lincoln, while Aaron Drinan is with Waterford in Ireland where the season runs through the summer with his spell running until July.

"The lads will come back and they’ll be in the same boat as everybody else, I’ll tell them exactly what’s happening and that if you come back it’s going to be hard,” he said.

Regarding England U18 international right-back of midfielder Dylan Crowe, the only young player still to be secured on a contract having been linked with clubs at home and abroad, Lambert says talks continue.

"No, I don’t think so at the minute,” he said when asked if there was any progress. "I think [general manager of football operations] Lee [O’Neill] is dealing with that one at the minute. I’m pretty sure Lee will sort that one way or another.”

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