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

Southamptonblue added 16:29 - Mar 21 He's a useful player to have in the squad, and his experience could probably be utilised on the training field.
0

Wickets added 16:54 - Mar 21 Sito Castro use to say same when he wanted another contract,not been worth it this year will be a year older next.No brainer.
0

TimmyH added 19:31 - Mar 21 Hasn't done enough for me - let him go and get some younger blood in!
0

eaii added 20:19 - Mar 21 If Ward signs and Edwards still here I think Bowyer will leave us. Shame he was not here a few years ago but there again see how he performs tonight, a hatrick would help sway a few Mr Bowyer.
0

Pip50 added 20:36 - Mar 21 Knobs experienced player on reduced wages what would we have to lose!
0

beerhelps added 22:05 - Mar 21 Should have had 12 months earlier in his carrer......... Spend the money on youth! (go on Gav, leave it on!)
0

Blue041273 added 22:29 - Mar 21 If PJ is going to be considered as having made any progress at all this season he will need back his judgement on the players he has recruited. Of course there will be turnover in playing staff but if we are to believe that we are in the course of a long term project we do not need the blueprint to be ripped up every summer by getting rid of players willy nilly and bringing in a fresh bunch of new ones. We probably do not need Lee Bowyer in the sense that if he chose to walk away we would still survive, but if PJ believed that he was worth recruiting last summer he must be worth keeping for at least another year especially if he accepts that it must be on reduced terms. If PJ believes he is fit enough to make a meaningful contribution to the future it should be a no brainer. We need to build on the encouraging recent form with continuity and stability, not uncertainty and the prospect of further experimentation.

0

Fartman added 07:21 - Mar 22 Leadbitter and Smith are the ones to keep. Bullard and Ellington should be released. While I'm not sure of Scotland and Bowyer, my Scotland doubts are related to him not been very effective as a lone striker. Murphy should be kept, as he gives us some physical and aerial presence up front. He's a kind of a dark horse - lot's of great crosses last night, by the way.
0

jas0999 added 18:53 - Mar 22 After last night and previous showings, I hope he doesn't sign. Only here to see out his career, even if on reduced terms. Poor signing.
0

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls