Town boss Paul Jewell says he plans to hold contract talks with midfielder Grant Leadbitter in the next few days. Leadbitter’s current deal is up at the end of June with the former Sunderland man having turned down the initial offer of new terms early in the season.

Speaking in his post-match Radio Suffolk interview after the 26-year-old missed a penalty and scored a superb goal in the 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough, Jewell said: “We want to keep him here. I was speaking with the owner last night about it and I’ll be speaking with Grant in the next couple of days.

“We’ve never really sat down and spoken because it’s been a difficult season with one thing and another. Now we’re not going to go down maybe we can sit down and have a chat with him. We’d like to keep him here next year and beyond.”

Photo: Action Images

bluelady added 11:06 - Mar 28 only if he keeps his current form. if he does he will be instrumental next year.
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hampstead_blue added 11:07 - Mar 28 SC mentioned at the recent Q&A at Playford road that next season will see the squad reduce in size and the wage bill reduce also. He'll go to a side who wants to gamble during the two year moratorium period. My only question is that if he indicates he isn't going to sign, we should drop him out of the squad and he shouldn't be involved. That would give Hyam and JB a run in the team. No signature means no involvement.

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positiveblue added 11:10 - Mar 28 Good player, but don't think he is totally 100% committed to playing for Ipwich!! Unlike Carlos, i'm pretty sure he won't be prepared to take a drop in wages, so won't be to sad if he leaves!
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walberswick added 11:13 - Mar 28 Funny how a player gets motivated when his contract is up and is looking for fresh pastures and more money?
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positiveblue added 11:17 - Mar 28 Good player, but don't think he is totally 100% committed to playing for Ipwich!! Unlike Carlos, i'm pretty sure he won't be prepared to take a drop in wages, so won't be to sad if he leaves!
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davetheblue added 11:17 - Mar 28 spot on hampstead blue ,if he dont sign soon dont play him.hyam could be gaining crucial expierience in the last 7 games for next season
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Marshalls_Mullet added 11:27 - Mar 28 Positive blue.... ...it does surprise me when people talk about a pay cut at the end of a contract. Leadbitter for example is not contracted to receive any pay from any club next season, so there is no 'pay' to be cut. He may have to take a less lucrative contract somewhere, compared to what he agreed 3 years ago, but thats life. Its not like we are asking a member of staff to take a pay cut against the terms of their contract. I dont see any club matching the c.£15k he is likely to be on here.

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Karlosfandangal added 11:36 - Mar 28 Is he playing well because his contract is coming to an end or the fact he is no longer the captain.
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SpecialK79 added 11:43 - Mar 28 I've got a sneaky feeling he will sign, genuinely looks like he's playing to nail down a new contract, could be wrong though
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KenDubZ added 11:58 - Mar 28 People moan about commitment and hes been here a while and all he has ever got is stick! Good player, Knows what hes doing what more do you want? oh maybe goals because hes getting them aswell Mehhh
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muhrensleftfoot added 12:01 - Mar 28 I reckon he'll sign, because no Premier league club will want him, and most championship clubs are keeping their wage bill down, so he's not going to get the mega bucks he wants elsewhere
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Daleyitfc added 12:01 - Mar 28 Not good enough and too expensive. Get rid.
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Special_A added 12:32 - Mar 28 Daleyitfc Can you suggest better players on less Money that we could buy then? He is mid 20s and has loads to offer. Maybe not having the armband pressure is a good thing.
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mightytown added 12:38 - Mar 28 daleyitfc. YOU are a waste of space. get lost
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beerhelps added 12:47 - Mar 28 daley might not put it well, but the fact is GL has been a passanger for the majority of his current contract. The question is, would he continue showing some passion after signing a new deal or return to sub-standard displays? Low basic, high bonus, offer maybe?
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Ipswich24 added 12:57 - Mar 28 If he can keep up his current form then he is a very good player at this level. Just a pity havent seen enough of it. In last few games he has been immense in my opinion and I have been one of the fans who have been on his back so well done Grant.
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mschultz76 added 13:07 - Mar 28 Leadbitter is playing well and I do not think that is down to him playing for a new contract. He have not got the armband and he is now playing in a flat 4 man midfield which suit him and he is by far the best centre midfielder we got. People say he is not committed. I see it totally different. At the Burnley game he made a great tackle and got a yellow card. I was sitting 2 metres away and anyone who saw his face and gestures against the ref could see his commitment. He shortly after kicks the ball away and gets a second yellow card. Leadbitter only did this because he wanted the win so badly. If he did not care he would not play like he does. Always gives 100 %. PLEASE sign him up.

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HALLSJ added 13:20 - Mar 28 Committment appears to have come through now that the team in general are playing as a 'team' with passion and belief. Now that Keane is out of the way, Jewell appears to have some type of direction and mind set I think that Leadbitter will re-sign, as previoulsy mentioned he could be a key member of the first 11 for next season.
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Hungry_Badger added 13:37 - Mar 28 Strange how over the last two years he has been sh1t, but now his contract is up hes suddenly been able to find form.
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GTRKing added 13:44 - Mar 28 I hope he signs & keep his forum up & we only want players who will play 100% for the club & not money grabbers
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Blue041273 added 13:50 - Mar 28 Trouble is, he has been here the best part of three years but we still don't know the guy. He doesn't give interviews so we don' his opinion on anything. He hasn't said that he wants to stay or go. We have a number of characters but GL isn't one of them.
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irishtim added 14:01 - Mar 28 Think we should sign him up but on our terms. If he doesnt like it good luck elsewhere. Also if he doesnt sign soon dont play him again take him out of the shop window.
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icetruckiller added 14:14 - Mar 28 Will he take a drop in wages like Carlos, who committed himself to Town early. To me GL doesn't seem to want to commit. On current form he will be a loss, but it reminds of Bullard last year, played out of his skin to get a contract, and then nothing.
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ipswichtillidie added 14:21 - Mar 28 Too inconsistent for me. So many poor passes, can't tackle, no pace. That said on his day (which os oftern enough) he is a good player at this level. The only thing that will bother me if he leaves is the large fee we paid for him with no return!
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Keaneish added 14:43 - Mar 28 He's gone in my opinion and probably to a northern championship club, somewhere back to his roots. Invest the time looking for a replacement for him and Bowyer. I've always been and admirer of Sammy Clingan at Coventry...despite his Narwich background as one who would be cheap and a good passer of the ball to replace either Leadbitter or Bowyer.
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