Skipper David Norris says the reason he turned down the new Town contract which was on offer at the end of last year was down to its length rather than him wanting more money. The former Plymouth man, whose current terms are up in the summer, says there has been no new progress towards sealing a deal.

Norris said: “I had an initial offer two months ago and it wasn’t quite right for me. I was hoping for three years and it was only two years and I haven’t heard anything since.

“I read something last week about certain demands, but it hasn’t even got that far, to be honest. It was more the fact that initially I was hoping for three years. I was hoping that might be negotiable and we could talk, but I haven’t heard anything since.

“I’m fully committed then. If I sign for only two years, come the following summer, I’m back in the same position where I’m in my last year again, so I’d like to fully commit to the club.”

The midfielder spoke to new boss Paul Jewell last week, along with Damien Delaney and Gareth McAuley, who will be in the same position as him at the end of June, and says he’ll keep pushing for a new deal until Town tell him one definitely won’t be forthcoming: “He spoke to us last week, he just said there were a couple of bids in in January and that he didn’t want us to leave.

“I said that that was fine by me. Until this club comes to me and says ‘Thanks, but we’re going to let you go’, I’ll keep trying and hopefully get a contract.

“It’s an unusual situation but there was the change of manager at an awkward time and maybe he wants to come in have a look and that might be part of the reason it might not have happened. I’d rather have it done yesterday.”

Norris took Portsmouth manager Steve Cotterill’s claims that he wanted to move to Pompey with a pinch of salt: “I read about those. I don’t tend to take too much notice. My agent deals with anything else away from the game, I tell him not to bother me too much until it’s concrete.”

The Blues' top scorer for the season with nine goals says he very much wants to stay at Portman Road, having signed from Argyle for £2.25 million in January 2008: “I’ve never said anything different. We’re settled here, I never said I wanted to leave. I haven’t signed anything with anyone else when I possibly could have.

“It’s just a little bit frustrating because I don’t really know 100% where I stand. Are the club happy? Do they want me to stay and sort a deal out? Do they want me to stay until the end of the season and then I go? Or in January did they want to cash in on me? I’m just not sure exactly where I stand.”

Norris says the situation doesn’t affect him during games but that there are serious matters to be considered and he Delaney and McAuley have discussed their positions: “Off the pitch you think about it, you don’t know where you’re going to be playing and I’ve got to be careful. Coming towards the end of a contract I don’t want to get injured.

“It plays a little bit on my mind but once the games get going I just want to concentrate on the football and enjoy it.

“I wouldn’t say we’re unsettled," he added, "We’re enjoying our games here. We’re not unsettled and it’s not causing problems, but we have the conversations, ‘What’s happening with you?’ and this and that. We’re still enjoying our football, as you can see.”

The Peterborough-born player admits that if Town don’t tie him down soon he could find himself in a strong position in the summer where he’s able to pick and choose from various offers, but the 29-year-old doesn't appear particularly interested in moving elsewhere: “Yes, if I carry on OK it’s a strong position but sometimes the grass isn’t always greener.”

Photo: Action Images

PeekFreans added 15:32 - Feb 7 What's the delay? Sign him today!
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gypo added 15:46 - Feb 7 sorry chuck if you want to play for the club sign the contract your 30 in a couple of weeks not being horrible but your not the fastest out there. then if you do well enough in 12 months they might offer you a further year on that like carlos edwards has just done. And the same goes for you McAuley remember you have both turned the clubs offers down ,we all know the club will not be held to ransom when it comes to money

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KenDubZ added 15:55 - Feb 7 Best News EVER !!
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meekreech added 16:16 - Feb 7 Nitroblue When Delaney scored our end sang sign him up !!!!
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RetroBlue added 16:54 - Feb 7 Norris is "in a strong position" now - so why isnt he making moves to move away if he says he can do so, and he doesnt like the offer on the table? Town are obviously not going to be caught up in excessive contracts over a many years , as the owner looks to lower the annual losses. the days of the big, lengthy contracts may be over players - and in part , I have to agree with this approach. Even bog standard championhip players (which Norris is ) are in daft money compared to average fan that stumps up high ST prices each year !

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oddball added 17:06 - Feb 7 blueherts- come on deserves 3 yr deal, u cant stipulate he must score 15 goals a season thats ridiculous, he offers more than just goals. he starting to show the ability that we signed him for, scoring goals, great attitude, good engine and at 29 in prime, sign him up.
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dirtydingusmagee added 17:13 - Feb 7 My opinion of him having contract aside,i do agree with Bergholtblue, he should not be making public his arguement .
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jas0999 added 17:16 - Feb 7 No real surprise and I don't blame Norris - I also wouldn't blame him if he was talking to other clubs. If anyone on here had been told they would be out of work in June - what would you do? The fact is, these deals should have been sorted long a go. Even Jewell agrees. Bottom line is its disgusting that people like Norris haven't heard anything from the club in two months! The buck has to stop with Clegg.

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TractorTrog added 17:26 - Feb 7 Norris has always for me been a hard worker If I were his boss I would give him a raise or in this instance a proper contract he has shown comitmnet now i think its up to Town to honner there side of the deal dont delay no point in a hardworking player loosing heart for feeling unwanted or unloved his definalty turned a corner in his ability to score I think you would see a really keen happy hungry player just banging in the goals if you treat him right....Give Norris his contract!!!

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StortfordBlue added 17:31 - Feb 7 We were looking to sign Shaun Derry in the summer, and he is older than 32, so I don't see a problem giving Chuck a three year deal - sort it out Clegg!
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warwickblue added 17:37 - Feb 7 He hardly bloody looks like he's running out of steam does he? Sign him up for three years now!!!
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Tractorog added 17:48 - Feb 7 A 3 year deal? Pompey could be in the conference by then ... if they still exist. To echo previous comments... Steve Cotterill... absolute arse.
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Ipswich24 added 18:08 - Feb 7 Pay him same terms but for three years if not about money! He is playing really well keep it up son
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Worcester added 18:15 - Feb 7 Yet again I come to the party late and it has all been said. Legoman and Brogansnose have summed my feelings
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BlueArmy01 added 18:17 - Feb 7 Don't believe all you read he wants more money aswell.
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blueherts added 18:20 - Feb 7 Oddball - Why not stipulate it - Listen , I think he has stepped up a gear and is looking player he should - But as I said , we signed him afew years back repay the loyalty Norris - Jas...He would not be out of work in June , he has been offered a contract Remember - how many people on here are GUARANTEED their job over 3 months , let alone 3 years - Dirty and Bergholt - Correct , i wish he would just keep it out of the press , it is not really putting him in a great light - comments about getting a goal bonus - that is why I suggest we put it in there - if he wants it , but tie it to the extra year

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falc123 added 18:25 - Feb 7 Sign them up asap, keep them focused on being a team, this could cause issue in the camp if not resolved.
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Aitchy added 18:30 - Feb 7 If it's only the time frame and not salary that's the sticking point then ME/SC should get him signed. That goes for GM and DD too. With Luca getting his first few minutes on Saturday the midfield is really starting to shape with some positive attacking options. COYB
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Suffolk_n_Good added 18:59 - Feb 7 I just find it complete madness that we haven't tied norris up on a 3 year contract, it's not as if he's asking for the world, is it??
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BlueJewells added 19:01 - Feb 7 give him a fuking 3 year deal
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brettanderson added 19:33 - Feb 7 A really average player deserves an average contract. 2 years is more than enough.
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runaround added 20:17 - Feb 7 Perhaps the club should just reopen negotiations with Norris, McAuley and Delaney. That would be a good move to get things going and if its true that all 3 want to stay and the club wants them to stay, then i'm sure agreements will be reached. As much as its good that the club will not be held to ransom over wages, to not discuss deals with the players when they are free to talk to other clubs and potentially walkaway for free in the summer is a very dangerous game and could be a case of biting off your nose to spite your face. All 3 are settled at the club and doing well, to replace them would cost big fees, possibly bigger wages and there's no guarantee the replacements would work out. So come on ME/SC start talking to them please

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Blackbirdblue added 20:30 - Feb 7 Norris, McAuley, Delaney--- yes please !! sign all three---we need these people in the team---they always deliver--- worth every penny!!
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choprawontcome added 21:53 - Feb 7 SIGN HIM UP!!!!!!! SIGN HIM UP!!!!!!! SIGN HIM UP!!!!!!!
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Worcester added 21:59 - Feb 7 It be down to PJ "The Silverback" (as DDM would say) still having a look. Maybe he has been promised a lot of cash for the summer?
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