Town captain Carlos Edwards has spoken of his delight at securing his Portman Road future and admitted he would like nothing more than for team-mates Grant Leadbitter and Jason Scotland to do likewise.

Edwards, 33, may have taken a substantial pay cut to stay at Ipswich but he has also revealed that his new 12-month deal, which will kick in at the end of the season, is more lucrative than the one he rejected last year.

He said: “It is always nice to secure something before the end of the season. Some of the other lads now need to sort themselves out and I am sure things will soon be sorted out.

“I would hope that both Grant and Jason will follow in my footsteps but only time will tell. We have not been talking about it much but all I can say is that the guys seem eager to secure their careers here at Ipswich.

“It’s always tough to take a pay cut but at the same time you have to look at yourself and I’m not getting any younger. It’s not the end of the world and I will continue to do what I have always done and give 100 per cent.

“Who’s to know how many years I have left? My body will decide that. I will continue to play as long as I am fit and I have the desire, plus the 100 per cent commitment, to go forward.”

Edwards made it clear he always had a preference for staying put in Suffolk, adding: “I don’t think it was ever in doubt. I had a word with the manager and the chairman and we were just thrashing out a few things.

“I could have put pen to paper last season but I told the manager I would prefer to wait and prove myself in the hope of gaining something a little more substantial. I’ve done that and we have both come out winners.

“It is a better deal than what I was offered last year. There may have been one or two clubs sniffing around but my family is happy here. I have moved around quite a lot during my time in England so it is good to be settled somewhere I can call home.”

Photos: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

village_blue added 06:50 - Mar 27 Can't really see Leadbitter taking a 50% p[ay cut but Scotland might because of his age going against him.
0

floridaboy added 06:55 - Mar 27 Not fussed about keeping either Leadbitter or Scotland. Let Drury, Hyam and Stevenson fight for the one spot and hope PJ finds a partner who can spray the ball about. As for Scotland not fussed as there must be a young, hungry striker around who wants to play for us.
0

itfc1981 added 07:08 - Mar 27 Hyam and whoever else, but Hyam is very importnt to us. More than some feel.
0

blueoff added 07:34 - Mar 27 Goals are going to fly in against us again next season then !
0

slowerball added 07:59 - Mar 27 Reduced package - no need for a sponsored car...
0

lawshallgirls added 08:01 - Mar 27 I'd quite like to keep all of them Tommy, Jason and leadbitter
0

Karlosfandangal added 08:40 - Mar 27 Going to start feeling sorry for the players soon as they must be on the bread line soon. Bet Edwards still earns in a month more that I earn in a year!!!!!!!!!!!!!
0

ThatMuhrenCross added 08:58 - Mar 27 I think more an more players are going to be prepared to take wage cuts with the new Financial Fair Play rules coming in. People like Edwards and Scotland (and possibly even Leadbitter) are accepting of the fact that they are Championship standard players these days and there are not going to be any other clubs who can realistically pay them more than Ipswich do.

0

Marshalls_Mullet added 09:08 - Mar 27 village_blue; Leadbitter will need to take a very substantial pay cut wherever he goes. He has been playing well this month, but assuming we signed him on say £15k+ per week, no club will pay that. The most he would get I would think will be £8-10k per week (still huge wages), but thats a cut of c.35-45%.
0

bluelady added 09:18 - Mar 27 its the agents i feel sorry for, bless their souls
0

CavendishBlue added 10:24 - Mar 27 "to go forward" oh dear Carless.The clue is in the job title.FULLBACK!!!!
0

mschultz76 added 10:55 - Mar 27 Please Leadbitter sign a new contract. Town needs you. Hyam still got a long way to go and Leadbitter is solid and playing alot better now he is not Captain. 3-1 tonight.
0

sonian_blue added 11:06 - Mar 27 Good news this, technically the best player we have IMO. Always gives 100% and toss up between him and Cresswell for PoS. 3-1 tonight and 11/8 at Ladbrokes for the win. Fill yer boots boys.
0

jas0999 added 11:12 - Mar 27 Leadbitter will not take a pay cut and I don't blame him. Scotland might though. Although pleased Edwards has signed - still think we need a RB!
0

Marshalls_Mullet added 11:28 - Mar 27 jas0999....... Leadbitter WILL take a pay cut, WHEREVER he goes. He signed on big wages from a Prem club, who will offer him c.£15k per week? His reputation is not what it was 3 years ago, and financial fair play rules are about to kick in. He will have no choice but to take a 'pay cut'. As an aside, he does not have any contracted pay beyond this season, so I am not sure whether it would constitute a pay cut.

0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls