Striker-turned-midfielder Jon Walters will sign a new contract which will keep him with the Blues until 2011. The Irish B international has been one of Town's top performers this season and in recent weeks has been linked with Wigan, Sunderland, Newcastle and West Ham.

Walters, whose previous deal was up at the end of 2010, says he is keen to play in the top flight at some stage of his career but is in no rush: “All I want to do is help Ipswich get to where they want to be. Of course I want to play in the Premier League, but I'm patient enough to wait.

“I still have a lot to learn and this club has all the facilities I need to improve myself on the training ground day in day out. I will continue to work on what I need to do every day.

“The other big factor is I'm extremely happy here and completely settled. When a player is happy it shows on the football pitch and you look forward to going to work every day.”

Walters joined the Blues from Chester City in the January transfer window a year ago for an initial fee of £100,000 plus appearance top-ups. The League Two side are entitled to 20% of any profit Town make on the 24-year-old if and when he is eventually sold.

Meanwhile, Brighton expect Town's Matt Richards to make a decision on whether he wants to return to the Withdean Stadium for a further loan spell next week.

Town and the Seagulls have agreed terms on a new loan which will see the one-time England U21 international stay with the League One side for the rest of the season.

At least one other club is believed to be interested in signing Richards, whose Blues contract is up in the summer of 2009.

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