Central defender Tommy Smith says he’s yet to speak to manager Paul Jewell about his contract situation but would love to stay at Portman Road. The 21-year-old New Zealand international, back in the side in recent weeks, is one of 12 players whose deals are up at the end of the season.

Academy product Smith said: “I haven’t spoken to him yet about the contract situation. From my point of view I just want to stay in the team, do the best I can and hope that results improve. If they come to me [to discuss a new contract], they come to me.

“There is a bit of uncertainty and you want the security of knowing that you are going to be playing football again next season but first and foremost I just want to stay in the team and do as well as I can.

“If I do get a new deal, happy days. I want to be part of the first team plans and if I am I’ll be delighted to stay at Ipswich.”

In addition to Smith, Josh Carson, Grant Leadbitter, Jason Scotland, Lee Bowyer, Richard Wright, Mark Kennedy, Carlos Edwards, Ibrahima Sonko, Luke Hyam, Cody Cropper and Cormac Burke are all out of contract at the end of June.

Carson is expected to a sign a new two-year deal which includes the option of a third season soon, while Hyam was offered a one-year deal until the summer of 2013 last week.

Scotland, Bowyer and perhaps one or two others will trigger additional years on their contracts after a set number of league starts, in the Trinidadian’s case 19, his total currently standing at 16.

Meanwhile, Stoke manager Tony Pulis has revealed that former Town loanee Danny Collins is suffering from an injury, which may account for the Wales international not yet having moved on during the transfer window: "He's got a dead leg after Ricardo Fuller ran into him in training.

“He hasn't been able to train properly, that's been the problem with him, but hopefully he'll be training again soon.”

Bolton is understood to be the 31-year-old’s most likely destination but Pulis has played down the suggestion that Collins will definitely leave the Potters in January: "You are going to get speculation linking players with clubs at this time of year. There's nothing you can do about it."

Town are monitoring Collins’s situation, although boss Paul Jewell recently admitted that the defender would probably move to a club nearer to his home in Cheshire.

Elsewhere, ex-Blue Alex Bruce has been linked with a move from Leeds United to the LA Galaxy.

Photo: Action Images

SouperJim added 12:13 - Jan 24 I hope he gets it, very experienced for his age and will only get better. Could have a big part to play in our future.
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bobble added 12:14 - Jan 24 seems to better than the rest.hes kiwi though so just keep im away from the sheep
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bedsitfc added 12:16 - Jan 24 well we need to extend contracts quickly as our minted chairman wont put his hands in his pocket. before people say he dont trust p.j he done it to keane aswell we will go nowhere fast by changing our manager yearly he needs to back the man he appointed. p.j is a very good manager and i have every faith in him.
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bedsitfc added 12:21 - Jan 24 ^^^ for new players
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yorksblue added 12:23 - Jan 24 Check out Leeds' 3rd goal. No thanks mate. On ya bike
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tractorboybig added 12:24 - Jan 24 If Ipswich are letting these contracts run this late, with all the previous problems that it created surely it means one of two things. 1. He is not wanted. 2. They accept relegation and will minimise wages. bedsitfc.....I think marcus has dipped his pockets to the tune of 65 million +
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Chicago_Blue added 12:25 - Jan 24 I don't rate him.
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DiamondGezzer added 12:26 - Jan 24 He did some good work on Saturday, up and until the third goal. I think panic stations set in, as it did with most of the team to be fair.
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Keaneish added 12:26 - Jan 24 If ainsley, Murray and Hyam were offered deals, why would tommy not be!? Plenty of time to become a solid centre half. Proved at the start of last season alongside Mcauley he can do it. Sign him up.
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singtown added 12:29 - Jan 24 This guy is probably the only player with World Cup experience for ITFC, give him a decent contract as he's still young and hungry and fits long term plan in grooming our own academy players If PJ wants to build a solid defense line, start grooming Smith for the near future & save us the trouble of looking for expensive transfer targets!
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Karlosfandangal added 12:33 - Jan 24 He is a young lad and feel he needs an experiance defender aloneside him. On Saturday it was going well till Sonko lost his head and feel Smith was a bit lost and did not know where Sonko was or where he should have been. As Keaneish said alongside McAuley he played well, Maybe if we get Pearce they could form a great partnrtship.
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bedsitfc added 12:33 - Jan 24 tractorboybig - yes money has left his account but its in the form of loans to itfc plc which will have to be paid back.
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Warkys_Tash added 12:38 - Jan 24 Agree with YorksBlue. Got pushed off the ball far too easily (when it should have been his) for the 3rd goal. Don't want to see that again this season if you are to win a new contract!!!
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Vizslaraner added 12:38 - Jan 24 Although he hasn't covered himself in glory recently, I believe with the right partner at the back he will develop into a decent centre half given time. Plus he is left footed which gives us better balance. He is also young and we should be ensuring our coaches bring these players on like we used to. We still need two further centre backs and a right back though
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PauloJulio added 12:39 - Jan 24 One year contract only.
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Martus added 12:45 - Jan 24 We should have eased him in to the side with an experienced (and a decent) centre half. As Keanish said, he looked good when he played alongside McAuley. I think Smith had too carry himself and Sonko on his shoulders against Leeds, we cant expect him too do that. Bring in a centre half who is a leader and help Tommy turn his potential in to becoming a good player. But first we have too contract him down . . . . . . .

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SouperJim added 12:47 - Jan 24 Yorks, chicago and others:- he's only 21, give him a chance. Most central defenders don't reach their peak until their late 20's. Nobody is suggesting he's the finished product, but he clearly has the potential to be a good centre half.
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irishtim added 12:49 - Jan 24 I think we should stick with him. He is still young & will get better. He needs some experienced centre half to help him progress.
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Tractamatt added 12:57 - Jan 24 It would not surprise me if our back four ended up as Edwards,St Leger,Smith,Creswell. The Portsmouth 2 will go to Liecester (however it's spelt) we will get St Leger and still have a weekness at rightback.
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PimsNumber1 added 12:57 - Jan 24 Dont rate him at all. Too slow and cumbersome but may improve as only young. We need a new defencive coach because we CANT have one at present. nc
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Bigbigg added 13:04 - Jan 24 Worth another year in my opinion, but needs a run in the side!!
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walberswick added 13:05 - Jan 24 Keep Smith , send Jewellio out on loan.
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muhrensleftfoot added 13:10 - Jan 24 We're not exactly awash with central defenders. I prefer Smith to Delaney. I think we should give him another 2 years. Don't think he's a first choice though, we need an experienced left footed centreback (other than Delaney, who was signed as a left back, but was so hopeless he was dropped & RK only put him in at centre back when we had no-one else left!)
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StowTractorBoy added 13:18 - Jan 24 Not commanding enough for me and always has a mistake waiting round the corner. Not sustained his early promise which is a shame. We need better than Tommy if we are to survive and then progress
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DurhamTownFan added 13:21 - Jan 24 I agree-keep him on. He's hardly going to be one of our big earners, Seems quite happy being in and out if we do ever sign other, better CBs, ad always gives 100%. True, he's not up there with Mowbray, De Vos or even Macauley, but he should have plenty of time to establish himself if PJ shows a little faith
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