Defender Alex Bruce has confirmed that he is still to be offered a new contract by the club, despite reports to the contrary in the summer. Bruce, who scored his first Town goal in last night's 2-1 defeat to former side Birmingham, is out of contract in the summer.

Bruce told the club site: "Playing games is the key thing for me at the moment. That is the most important issue and I'm pleased to have been involved lately.

"The contract stuff has come up recently and the situation is that at the moment I have not been offered anything, but we will have to wait and see how that develops.

"It may change, it may not. Obviously I'd like it resolved as soon as possible but for me now, I have to get my head down, play as many games as I can and see how things progress."

Bruce's agent held talks with Town chief executive Derek Bowden in the summer and earlier this month. The Republic of Ireland international has been linked with Norwich City, Preston and Burnley as well as Italian sides Fiorentina, Genoa and Napoli.

According to Irish reports, Town are in talks with former Drogheda central defender Graham Gartland, who could be Bruce's replacement if the former ex-Blackburn trainee moves on during the January transfer window.

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