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

village_blue added 16:38 - Jan 24 Newboy-your comment about RK playing Hyam. Eastman and Carson are not true as Carson didn't play until PJ arrived.
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cunning_stunt added 16:43 - Jan 24 It would be a crime to let him go. To play every game at a World Cup for the only undefeated team of the tournament at the age of 20 is no fluke. As so many have already said, give him an experienced competent central defensive partner and he could be the mainstay of our defence for a decade.
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Southamptonblue added 16:54 - Jan 24 He has the potential. With the right coaching he could be a good player.
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Suffolk_n_Good added 17:00 - Jan 24 To be honest I don't think he's particulary great, but may prove good enough for League 1, if we do stay in the Championship I wouldn't be rushing to offer him a new deal. We need 3 or 4 quality CBs, not likely to happen, but thats the reality.
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ipswichtillidie added 17:50 - Jan 24 really dont rate him either... not the long term answer. A best send him out on loan but who would take him after what he did at Col utd!!!
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fourth added 18:33 - Jan 24 What ridiculous posts. He has huge potential. He HAS achieved.(I watched all of the NZ Italy match. Brilliant. He has had his disasters. BUT HE HAS SHOWB CHARACTER AND COME BACK. But our defensive coaches are not in this world. It's a management problem.
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grumpyoldman added 19:15 - Jan 24 the first comment "he's young he can only get better", brings a rye smile to my face, remember Dean Bowditch, he was only young didn't get better. If Smith proves himself over a period of time give him a contract, don't sign him just because he's young and a product of the youth system. Only if they are good enough do we need them. Over the years a lot of supporters have looked on youth products through rose tinted glasses, too numerous to mention

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jas0999 added 19:41 - Jan 24 No worse than PJ's signings. What a terrible manager - why not talk to the player? Oh dear - PJ is really poor. PJ OUT
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alfromcol added 19:49 - Jan 24 clivardo Is this true or just something you made up?
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Kampo added 20:07 - Jan 24 Clegg: Hi Marcus it's Simon here. ME: Hello Simon, what do you want, I'm a bit busy. Clegg : Well, you know that thing I did last year? ME: Sorry Simon, remind me? Clegg: You know, That contract buisness. ME: Oh yes that, what about it? You're not fretting about it again are you Si? Clegg: Kind of Ev. ME: Why? Clegg: Well I've...I've umm......done it again. There all going to leave for nothing again! ME: Oh Si, you silly person. What am I gonna do with you eh?

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TimmyH added 20:14 - Jan 24 I personally think it's confidence, if he can play well at the highest level of football (the world cup) alongside Nelson for New Zealand then surely he must be able to do it in this league, I know he's made mistakes and whilst out on loan in League 1 but I think he needs to be playing alongside confident players with good experience. I think we should offer him a new contract.

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WorcesterBlue added 08:17 - Jan 25 Give him a contract - better than Ainsley, potential and wants to play for us unlike Lavery, Leadbitter and Carson?
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WorcesterBlue added 08:24 - Jan 25 Oh and Mr Jewell: If you want to regain any respect stop talking crap for a week and get on with your job. Sign up players you want and get rid / loan out the rest. No signature? No play! Simples!
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