Town boss Paul Jewell has confirmed that he’d like to keep Saturday’s two-goal hero Grant Leadbitter at Portman Road beyond the end of his contract which is up this summer. Leadbitter, who struck two second half goals to grab a 2-2 draw at Hull on Saturday, turned down the Blues’ initial offer of a new deal in October.

Jewell said: “We would do, but that’s something that can be out of our hands. The player’s out of contract like three or four others are and they’re quite free to see what the market is.

“I’d like to keep him but I’d like to keep all our good players, and we’ve got plenty of them.”

While former skipper Leadbitter has been on the end of a fair bit of criticism from fans, the Blues boss says the player himself has been critical of his lack of goals: “He’s had a bit of stick off himself because he should get more goals. He gets a good strike on the ball.

“He’s a good professional, he always tries his best every day in training. He’s been out of the team, like a few other people have, but he hasn’t moaned and groaned, he’s just got on with it. Unfortunately, he’s picked up a bit of a [groin] injury and we’ll have to see how that is.

“At the moment, whether players are in contract or out of contract, you can’t question their attitude, and I think that’s a credit to them.”

Meanwhile, former Blues striker Jordan Rhodes, who has scored 33 goals for Huddersfield so far this season, was named the League One Player of the Year at last night’s Football League Awards. Southampton’s Rickie Lambert picked up the Championship gong.

Photo: Action Images

Garv added 12:53 - Mar 12 If he signs, fair enough. If he goes, fair enough. Not too worried.
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Lightningboy added 13:12 - Mar 12 Still unimpressed..2 goals saturday makes it 3 for the season..not good enough for a midfielder who has played most of the season..I won't miss him for a second if he goes. Hyam,Drury,Stevenson,Bullard & a newbie for the midfield places next season for me.
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petermorris added 13:40 - Mar 12 Has The Dark Lord's chosen corner taker learnt to get them over the first man yet?
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Keaneish added 14:05 - Mar 12 What exactly has he done to warrant a new contract since he was signed? I'd like to see someone come in during the summer to replace Leadbitter.
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Lightningboy added 16:00 - Mar 12 Totally agree Keaneish...baffles me why PJ's brought him back in...Hyam & Drury have put the likes of Leadbitter to shame.
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thebeat added 17:15 - Mar 12 No thanks, cant believe some people stick up for him, he has 1 good game and all of a sudden they want him to stay. We all know he's a donkey and we have better midfielder's in the squad than him already, how he got back in the team after Hyam and Drury played so well together i'll never know. He truly is the most blatant case of a manager having a favourite, jog on please, and by the way jogging means going forward not to the side or backwards

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happybeingblue added 17:24 - Mar 12 hes in the same mould as norris was he works hard-doesnt create enough -pedestrian paced, scores the odd goal-lets be honest would we miss him? same way we havent missed norris although i know loads of fans will think we have as he was a 100 per cent effort type player-give me edwards, martin, drury any day at least they create and make things happen move the ball quicker etc.thats why we have been playing better recently.chopra gettin better service,all about opinions i know, but never been keen as not commanding enough in centre of park for me.worth a one year deal though.

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bluearmy4life added 19:32 - Mar 12 Knowing how we have been with previous contracts I can't see him being here next season. I would be dissapointed if he goes on a free but looks inevitable. With Drury playing so well not a massive loss.
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TimmyH added 19:32 - Mar 12 I'm not going to be a 'fickle' supporter just because he's played reasonably well in the last few games, he really hasn't been good enough over the last 2 1/2 seasons so it wouldn't bother me if he went, but maybe and it's a big maybe now that he is not captain it might have lifted a weight of his shoulders and a better end to the season from him!
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michaeldownunder added 21:39 - Mar 12 Sorry to say Grant is not a 'game changer' type of player No killer pass,not a 5/10 goals a season midfielder from open play,cannot beat a player, no great speed of movement or thought. not a great captain. The only thing he has going for him is that he is 26 Some team will offer him a high wage / long term contract but I hope it is not us. Average contract for an average player is what he should get from Ipswich

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MathieandMarshall added 12:56 - Mar 13 Question to PJ.... Why?
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BlueBailey24 added 18:41 - Mar 13 not the sort of player which is going to get us promoted I'm afraid although does have his rare glimpses of quality, don't want players who only want to be here for big money and not a passion for the team
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