Out-of-contract midfielder Grant Leadbitter says he’d like to stay with Town but admits that at the moment his situation is up in the air. Boss Paul Jewell has said he plans to talk to the 26-year-old former Sunderland man about his future in the next few days.

Speaking after Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough, Leadbitter said: “I would like to stay at Ipswich — I have never said I wanted to leave. But at the moment, I don’t know what is going to happen.”

Having joined the Blues from Premier League Sunderland for £2.65 million in the summer of 2009, the former England U21 international is likely to have to take a pay cut to stay at Portman Road with the Financial Fair Play rules coming in next season.

Most other Championship clubs are also likely to be offering reduced wages this summer for the same reason, although sides recently relegated from the Premier League with parachute payments - and of course anyone still in the top flight who might show interest - will be in a stronger financial position.

Photo: Action Images

40yearsablue added 21:02 - Mar 29 I would like you to leave. If you were serious about staying you would have signed by now and we wouldnt be reading all this stuff over and over again. Just pi*s off.
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runaround added 21:07 - Mar 29 Sounds to me like he's hedging his bets and will stay if he doesn't get a better offer. He has been our best player for last month but before that had been mainly poor, which makes me wonder whether there hasn't been the interest in him that either he or his agent anticipated. He seems to be playing in the shop window in hope of attracting more interest. At this time last year Norris and GMac already knew they were off and their performances waned. Grant's are increasing, hence why I think there are no offers bigger than ours at present. Not really bothered if he stays or goes and he isnt the first footballer to turn down contracts in hope of a bosman and big sign-on fee....unfortunately he also wont be the last

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Blue041273 added 21:53 - Mar 29 This has only become a major issue as a result of Grant's performances in the last couple of months. I think most people would be happy if he were to re-sign provided recent levels were maintained. However the financial fair play rules do not allow the club to operate beyond their means. While previously we could 'live the dream' with an owner with deep pockets, we must now run to strict budgetary constraints. Put simply, we cannot now afford premier league wages and as contracts expire renewals will be subject to downward adjustment particularly if the attendance levels to continue to drop. All players will have to come to terms with this 'brave new world' although there will always be opportunities for jackpot contracts within the Premiership and the top echelon of the Championship. Whether or not Grant can secure one of these jackpot contracts remains to be seen. But what is clear is that it probably won't be with us.

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Johnny_Boy added 21:55 - Mar 29 Playing well for a new contract shocker. Yawwn. Bullard did the same last season.
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alex12345 added 08:55 - Mar 30 Monarch_Blue - I completely disagree to be honest. In the real world, many people have to move on for more money as it is their livleyhoods but i think when you have accumulated as much money over the years as footballers have (and in this case Grant Leadbitter's) 8-10 years footballing career already, I think these footballers can afford to take huge pay cuts. With the money they already have they can look after themselves with an extremely cooshty lifestyle even if his wages were halved.

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