Town midfielder Lee Bowyer admits he would love to remain with the club next season and accepts he will have to take a wage cut if he is to have any chance of earning a new 12-month deal.

The 35-year-old former England star, out for several weeks with a groin injury, faces an uncertain future as boss Paul Jewell weighs up whether or not to offer him a new contract when his present one expires at the end of the season.

Bowyer said: “We’ll just have to wait and see how it goes. You never know, the manager might give me another year, but I’m not sure.

“Appearance-wise, I had to play a certain number — I’m not sure how many — but I know I haven’t played that many yet. I just can’t remember how many it is.

“If I don’t, I don’t, and if I do, I do. It’s all down to the manager and whether he wants to give me another year, but I would love to stay.

“I love the club, it is definitely moving in the right direction. From the start until now we have got to know each other better as a team and got to know our strengths and weaknesses.

“I can see Ipswich doing really well next season and hopefully I will be a part of it. At my age you just want to play. I’ve never liked watching games from the bench — right back to when I was just 17 and breaking through until now.

“I’ve never really played the game for money. I could have gone to Liverpool years ago for stupid money but I didn’t. I chose to stay at Leeds. I’m quite a loyal person in that way and that will never change. It’s not about money. It’s about playing and that’s what I want to do.”

Photo: Action Images

DurhamTownFan added 12:06 - Mar 21 Sorry, Lee, but I just can't see us needing you next year. If we keep Leadbitter, Hyam and Drury in and around the team, I think the time is right to let players like Bowyer and Bullard go. With our current run of form, we're all about moving forward, not backwards, and I can't think of many games that Bowyer has run all by himself this season (except maybe W Ham away?)

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itfc1981 added 12:09 - Mar 21 oh dear, he does not even know how many games he has to play.
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saffronblue added 12:20 - Mar 21 Good player, I would like to see him stay another year as I don't think Leadbitter will be here. Not bothered about Bullard but I don't think his contract is up.
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danger_matt added 12:21 - Mar 21 Don't really get how you can respond negatively to this? The guy is saying he's loyal to the cause and is willing to cut wages to stay at a club he believes in. This is what we want from all our players. Even if drury leadbitter and hyam are still around next year, we need depth to the squad. Who better to keep the young guys working hard for their places? Seems like a no brainer really.

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StowTractorBoy added 12:26 - Mar 21 Very handy to have around and would definitely keep him if the terms are right.
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itfc1981 added 12:34 - Mar 21 farewell to the oOld Guard
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Surco72 added 12:35 - Mar 21 Would definately want him here next year ,players committed to the club who want to play .Big season next year with a goal keeper ,right back and centre back on board
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murhtuG added 12:35 - Mar 21 If he's happy to take a sufficient wage-cut to suit the club, then sign him up! Good cover and loads of experience to pass on to our yongsters.
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murhtuG added 12:35 - Mar 21 If he's happy to take a sufficient wage-cut to suit the club, then sign him up! Good cover and loads of experience to pass on to our yongsters.
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Paddy39 added 12:40 - Mar 21 As above a wage cut then yes, I like him when he is on song. Not afraid to put the boot in when needed.
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BillBlue added 12:40 - Mar 21 Yeah DangerMatt I agree. I never really liked Bowyer before but he has grown on me and I think he would be a useful guy to have around next year, especially with his current expressed attitude, when we have a big job on our hands. COYB
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buryblue77 added 12:44 - Mar 21 Give him another year, whilst he's not quite a Paul Scholes or Ryan Giggs, he has been a very good player over the years and the aforementioned are 3 years older and still going well. Sod it, give him 18 months!
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arablue added 12:49 - Mar 21 If we can have him at a reasonable wage, he would be a good influence to the youngsters and provide some level headedness and guidance as he showed last Saturday...
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Garv added 12:50 - Mar 21 Can't believe people think Bullard will be on his way...how?
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bluelady added 13:03 - Mar 21 been excellent the last few games off the bench. not got the legs for a full 90 mins but def a very good squad player, brings experience and really ideal to bring off the bench to steady the ship and also play one or two superb passes. on reduced wage a no brainer for me. TBH prefer him to Bullard, on attitude alone!
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brogansnose added 13:07 - Mar 21 If Leadbitter goes , which is likely, then we will need someone like him beside the likes of Drury and Hyam even if he is not up to 90 mins.
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tractorboy2434 added 13:15 - Mar 21 Get rid of Bowyer and Leadbitter and get some younger players in who have the legs for 46 games a season.
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geography26 added 13:37 - Mar 21 Please get rid of Bowyer and also terminate ellingtons contract! Rather see hyam and Murray on the bench! I take it tommy smith still hasn't been offered a contract! Wouldn't mind murphy signing permanently either!
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bringonthetractor added 13:49 - Mar 21 "I love the club" - bit soon for that isn't it?
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MintyHalfWit added 14:14 - Mar 21 Reduced wages? I wouldn't keep him even if he paid me.
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DiamondGezzer added 14:18 - Mar 21 For too long there have been players playing for the wage packet and not the shirt. If he is content to have a reduced wage contract, then that shows commitment to the cause. Can still do the business from the bench as has been shown. Recently, any player making a statement on here has scored in the next game. I wonder ?
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irishtim added 14:37 - Mar 21 Give him a pay as you play deal. Think he could be helpful to our younger players next season.
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bluelady added 14:40 - Mar 21 Diamond good call, i can see him nipping a goal for sure!
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Keaneish added 14:50 - Mar 21 Tractorboy2434 - although i'm not leadbitter's biggest fan....i think he's only 25/26 so not sure what you're talking about.
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TractorRoyNo1 added 15:28 - Mar 21 of course he does, who else would pay the old duffer as much for a handful of appearances
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