Town boss Paul Jewell was unable to announce that any of the out of contract players had signed their deals at this morning’s press conference but confirmed that he had managed to speak to skipper David Norris’s agent.

Jewell had hoped to announce that some of the senior players whose deals are up had signed but says news isn’t too far off: “I’m remaining hopeful on all of them. I spoke to Chuck’s agent yesterday and we had a long conversation and that’s not dead.

"He did say to me a couple of weeks ago to plan without Chuck but we’re trying to revive that and trying to make him an offer which will be acceptable.

“I’d like to give everyone news today but unfortunately I can’t but I don’t think it’ll be long in coming, one way or the other.”

The Blues boss says talks are continuing: “We’ve made Damien Delaney an offer and we’re expecting to speak to Damien and his agent this morning to try and resolve something, the same with Gareth McAuley.

“Brian Murphy and Colin Healy have got offers on the table for a certain amount of time and they’re weighing up their options.”

Meanwhile, Colchester assistant manager Joe Dunne says the U's could look at bringing released Blues striker Kevin Lisbie back to Essex for a third time this summer: “He’s a player we will look at.

"I’m sure he’ll have no shortage of clubs going for him though because he’s scored goals wherever he’s been. He’s one of probably many players we’ll look to.”

Lisbie, 32, has spent 2010/11 on loan at Millwall but won't play again this season because of an ankle injury.

Photo: Action Images

hampstead_blue added 11:57 - Apr 15 Giving them the 'exploding offer' is the right thing to do. They should show the club some respect and communicate.
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dan_itfc55 added 12:02 - Apr 15 A decision is definitely needed soon. We need to start planning for next year already is we are serious about a playoff/promotion push!
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Worcester added 12:03 - Apr 15 their playing silly buggers PJ move on and spend ME's much promised cash....Oops no cash...
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mutters added 12:15 - Apr 15 Sounds like Norris is off then. You can not blame either sides here, its not ITFCs fault for not signing them as we needed to know which division we were in before offering. Likewise you can not blame them for hanging on to see if a better deal comes in. As much as we love this club, for these guys its just a job. I like working for my company but if another came in and made me a better offer and one where it outweighed what i was on now, well i'd be off :-)

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brian_a_mul added 12:20 - Apr 15 Jeez Mutters I hope you boss doesnt come accross this message!
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dirtydingusmagee added 12:26 - Apr 15 call em a Taxi PJ , simple !
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scunnyblue added 12:35 - Apr 15 I agree with mutters on this one . I would fully understand a player like Norris who with respect is coming towards the back end of his career taking an offer at another club which lets says gives him 3 years instead of maybe the two town are offering . After all no matter how much you love your job in Norris case ITFC you got to take care of business when it comes to securing a better future for yourself and family . If that is the case then Norris does need to speak with PJ sooner rather than later so everybody understand the situation and can get on with there relative jobs

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GeorgiDoundarov added 12:47 - Apr 15 While I agree that all the players should explore their options and make the best choise for themselves, we need to put that deadline that PJ spoke about so that everybod know till when he have make his final decision. We for sure need to know who will stay and who will go so that PJ start planning for replacements where needed along with the additions we need anyways.

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MarkITFC added 12:50 - Apr 15 after delaneys peformence on tuesday i suggest he signs it quick before we take it off him ! whats taken so long with these contracts ? , all 3 players are lucky to be at a club like ipswich , just sign the fukin contract ! The Only one i think is a MUST is McAurly tbh . norris and del are replaceable imh
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gypo added 12:54 - Apr 15 Not being funny but Norris and MAC have had these contracts on the table since January, they both have said they want to stay so what's their problem sign on the line. Their agents are only a mouth piece not their fecking mothers its not up to them if they stay or go its up to Norris & Mcauley . So if you really want to play for our club sign if not feck off and let smith and hyam come in and play !!

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bedsitfc added 12:54 - Apr 15 Itfc have to give a deadline soon, we could be playing this game untill the end of the season and we could end up rushing to find replacements. They all can be replaced with players of equal quality easily, just means more cash on transfers. (easy to say when it aint me bank rolling it)
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TractorRoyNo1 added 13:03 - Apr 15 the 'deadline' is irrelvant, the players / agents hold all the aces this is not keane or jewells fault, it is down to clegg and evans for messing these players around, they have had 2 / 3 years to have sorted out new contracts, this brinkmanship may well end up with us letting players with a combined value of £5m go for nowt - %$£&ing p!ss up and brewery spings to mind

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pablo098 added 13:28 - Apr 15 McAuley is who we need, the other two like people have said are replaceable. Smith has already shown he is good enough earlier in the season and in the WC. Get the feeling Norris is off anyway by his last few performances.
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Marshalls_Mullet added 13:36 - Apr 15 Bored of this and the cr4p that the players spout. 'Id love to stay at this club' .... sign the latest contract then. I understand its just a job and they have to weigh up offers. fair enough, just dont come out with cr4p to the fans and then not act on it. If they dont want to be at Portman Road then good riddance, bring some youngsters and new signings in that do want to be here. Also to those on here who moan about Evans not putting money in?!.... I dont think his commitment can be doubted, he has suffered big losses over the last couple of seasons and invested heavily.

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DiamondGezzer added 13:55 - Apr 15 I have to say, I find it very strange the players went on and on about not being given a contract, now they have them they appear to be dragging their feet. What can they be after, lengthier contracts or more money, there isn't anything else to gripe about. is there ?
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broomfield123 added 14:03 - Apr 15 Its plane to see that they are players silly buggers thinking that thet are bigger and better than the club then they can go and do 1. And to be really honest they are not really outstandinly great that the club should bust a gut to keep.Let um go and get players who are really worthy and to build a team around who are younger. They are not promotion quality players

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Lamby95 added 14:09 - Apr 15 IMO brown is better than Eastman and if jewell wants the ball on the floor I feel Brown will be better suited as he is more of a ball playing defender than Eastman.
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itfc1981 added 14:51 - Apr 15 Lisbie has scored goals wherever he has been, yeah about 3 for each club.
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StowTractorBoy added 15:26 - Apr 15 Getting really fed up of this now give them until after the Norwich game PJ and if they dont sign let the whole three go. Norris has been poor for weeks now and we can replace Mac and Delaney with younger legs and some pace. I really wanted all three to stay a few weeks back but now it has been proved money is the issue and not loyalty. The main problem as I see it is if we had sold the players then they would have obtained a big signing on fee from the buying Club and they are now in a stronger bargaining position with 'buyers' to demand even bigger signing on fees as they will cost nothing to buy. I suspect they want ITFC to give them the signing on fees so theoretically we will pay for them twice. The more I think about this the more I think one or more will leave. If they do good luck but ITFC will carry on and may be the better for it.

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Mungo added 18:41 - Apr 15 I can understand why people are annoyed that players who have been offered more money than normal peope could spend are deferring committing to the club, but this must be viewed in relative terms. Now the players are entitled to speak to other clubs, why shouldn't they? We all want the best deal we can get to do our jobs. If we get a better offer from somewhere else, we take it, so why shouldn't they? The club allowed this situation to come to pass by not sorting this last summer. At the end of the day, they are good Championship players and financially we should be able to compete financially with most well run clubs in this league in terms of wages. At the same time, the club shouldn't be held to ransom, as there will be a lot of other players available in the summer who could come in and do a good job for the club. Lets just see what happens...

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harlingblue added 19:23 - Apr 15 McAurley has been solid all year, Delaney, has been fairly good, but in the last few games has looked a liability. Norris has scored goals but too often runs around like a headless chicken, gets bookings far too easy...ie Delaney and Norris could be replaced...sign NOW or GO! Healy should sign, he is starting to look a very good player and should push on, if given the chance? McAurley is a different story, he needs to be here, but he needs a faster centre back partner and should be man enough having Captained his Country to be our natural DEMANDING Captain/Leader/Manager on the pitch?

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slowerball added 00:40 - Apr 16 Mac & Delaney - hope they sign... plan without Chuck? Okay - no problem. We ain't short of midfielders, we have done without him on occasions when he has been injured, and - hopefully - we can get Dyer & Bullard - or Dyer & Derry if Bullard fancies another crack at the Prem... We mustn't be held to ransom by ordinary players. His £2.2m transfer fee preceeds him and, in my view, is slanting his view of himself. Get real son - sighn or f off.

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broomfield123 added 07:42 - Apr 16 Its very simple with situations like this in all industries. If your not happy with the situation then go and the company gets a replacement in if required. Everybody is replaceable and the person is soon forgotten
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