Blues boss Paul Lambert says he has been impressed with the form of striker Kayden Jackson this season but says any new deal for the 25-year-old will have to wait until Town know what division they’ll be in next season.
Jackson, a £1.6 million summer 2018 signing from Accrington Stanley, has played more than any other striker this season has has grabbed nine goals and six assists.
"He’s been very good,” Lambert said. "He’s been consistent with it and if he doesn’t score he’s still a handful with his running.
"So I’ve been delighted with Kayden’s form and I think Will Keane has been excellent for us and I thought James [Norwood] in the last couple of games has come off the bench and done well for us, so they’re going the right way.”
Jackson’s defending from the front has been noted in recent weeks and Lambert says that’s an important aspect of a striker’s game.
"I always think that you defend from the front,” he said. "I don’t think that’s changed from years gone by. If you can defend from the front and you have got the speed and the legs to do it, then it’s a big asset.”
Earlier in the week it was reported that Jackson was close to signing a new deal with the Blues - his current terms run to the summer of 2021 with the club having an option for another year - but the Town manager says nothing is imminent on that front.
"I don’t think that will happen until we know where we are,” he said. "I think they’ll probably be talking, but I don’t think anything will be concrete until we actually know where we are.”
Meanwhile, January is coming to a close with no developments on Luke Garbutt’s situation.
The left-back is on loan for the season with the Blues but with his Everton contract up in the summer and Lambert having said he’d been keen to recruit the 26-year-old on a permanent basis.
"No,” Lambert said when asked if anything was happening regarding the permanent signing of Garbutt.
"But he’s been excellent as well, Luke. His deliveries have been second to none and with his set plays and the way he can pass the ball, he’s been excellent for us. He’s been in really good form.”