Town boss Paul Jewell has revealed that he is releasing central defender Ibrahima Sonko at the end of the season. However, midfielder Grant Leadbitter’s situation is still up in the air despite the Blues manager’s conversation with owner Marcus Evans earlier this week and a lengthy chat with the player yesterday, while Tommy Smith is set to sign a new deal.

Jewell said: “I have released Sonko. He’s been a terrific pro, a really good lad around the club. He came in at a time when we were struggling with centre-halves and always gave his best.

“He’s rubbed off on a lot of young players here, he’s got a good attitude but unfortunately money is less prevalent at our club at all clubs in the Championship, I guess.

“And unfortunately for him, and one or two others, we have to make decisions on a) ability, b) on age and c) on wages.

“All these things are factors in the offering or not offering of contracts. He’s a really positive person Sonks and it was a tough decision, but they’re all tough decisions when you release people.”

Sonko has been unable to break back into the side recently with Smith re-establishing himself during the second half of the season. Jewell says the New Zealand international is set to put pen to paper on a new contract: “His agent rang me yesterday and he thinks that will get done. I haven’t spoken to Tommy about that.

“I think he’s done really well and he’s only 22. He’s a good professional, he’ll get better, so I think he’s deserved it.”

As for Leadbitter, Jewell has relented on the deadline he set at the end of last week having talked to the 26-year-old yesterday: “I spoke at length with Grant and it’s a big decision for Grant. We had a conversation for a good hour about where I see Ipswich Town.

“I was hoping that we could have a decision one way or the other, but I had such a long conversation with him yesterday and he expressed the importance of the decision for him, he gets married in June, so he’s got an awful lot on his plate.

“It’s a big, big decision for him and he wants to make sure that ambition-wise, career-wise the next one’s the right one for him.

“We both agreed that it wouldn’t have been so long ago that I might have thought it would have been best that he should move on and he might have felt the same, but I think the last couple of months have changed our minds.

“He’s been one of our best players and he’s shown what he’s capable of in the last couple of months of the season and seems a lot happier in himself because of that.

“All of a sudden he’s got a big, big decision to make and at this stage of the season.

"Rather than force him into a corner, a week’s probably not going make a lot of difference, but we do need to know by the end of the season, it won’t drag on past the end of the season.”

Meanwhile, Jewell says talks are ongoing with Lee Bowyer regarding a new contract on reduced terms with the same the case with Jason Scotland, who recently waived a clause in his previous deal an indication that he’s likely to stay, while no decision has been made on Richard Wright and Cody Cropper.

The Town boss says there are no new developments on loanee Daryl Murphy, who he is keen to sign from Celtic on a permanent basis, while he expects youngster Callum Bennett to leave the club having turned down his contract.

Sheffield Wednesday are amongst a number of clubs interested with the Blues entitled to compensation when the right-back, who has been at the club since he was seven, moves on.

Photo: Action Images

sereneblue added 16:03 - Apr 20 Tommy Smith wants to sign = Committed Grant Leadbittter fanning around = not committed If I was getting married Grant the first thing I would want is stability.A club that wants you and offering a new contract = Stability. Your an average player,please remember that.
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Garv added 16:06 - Apr 20 West Ham goal not vital then WarkOn? Or Leicester goal not important? 4 very good away points they were, effectively earned by Lee Bowyer. I'm not saying hes been fantastic but to say he's given us nothing is frankly a highly moronic statement. Why are so many of our fans complete idiots?! Agghh!
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Sindre94 added 16:09 - Apr 20 Always liked Sonko, but clearly not good enough and releasing him is alright. Space for Ainsley on the bench then.
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Lightningboy added 16:09 - Apr 20 Cheers Ibrahima..a very important signing earlier in the season when our defence was struggling..you helped stop the rot. Glad Tommy's signing a new deal - has proven himself over the last few months to be a very good defender. Jewell - stop being a fat head over Leadbitter..stop wasting your and our club's time..turn your attention to the likes of Drury,Hyam & Bullard and start looking for someone better than Leadboots..shouldn't be too difficult.

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Sindre94 added 16:10 - Apr 20 And I see that Sonko has shut his homepage down, yeahyeah. Anyways, I hope leadbitter signs the contract and that we play Byron this weekend, would be good wouldnt it?
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SouperJim added 16:23 - Apr 20 Fantastic news on Bowyer, great to see Jewell looking to the future rather than just making the same mistakes over and over again.
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Brazils_Hair added 16:35 - Apr 20 Shame about Sonko I think. Maybe we do have someone else lined up. I have never liked Bowyer, although I have never met him. I think he is a mercenary and not at all right for Ipswich. As for Leadbitter, he really needs to show a bit more respect to the club and make a decision one way or the other. It is simply rude to keep everyone hanging on. Could be worse though. we could have landed Ched Evans a while ago! Crikey that would have backfired!

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CornardBlue added 16:39 - Apr 20 Why is everyone knocking Bowyer at least he has been avaiable for selection most weeks unlike a certain Mr Bullard. This man really pulled the wool over everyones eyes, got all supporters on his side (including myself) won player of the season got a nice 2 year contract on top money, in return has played 10 games this season and has never looked fit, Hull supporters did warn us. I think players like Luke Hyam can learn more from Bowyer than Bullard. On Ibrahima Sonko i am sorry to see him leave as he has done well for us but to move forward we do need a younger centre half. I wish him the best for the future.

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IpswichFan26 added 16:40 - Apr 20 Thank you sonko, best of luck for the future! And LB can still be useful for us, so why not give him another contract? If he cuts his wage by a lot why not?
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Garv added 16:41 - Apr 20 Can't stand how arrogant some fans are, looking at you 'souper'. Let's take a look at some of your coaching badges shall we?
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Seasider added 16:44 - Apr 20 Sonko to be released,Ingimarsson already gone,Sparky retired,Collins and Andrews gone to WBA &West Ham;Bowyer?All these over 30's played 6 months ago in the 4-1 defeat at Millwall in what was probably Towns oldest team ever.Thank goodness the team has got better in both age and performances since those dark days last Autumn.Call me a cynic but think Leadbitters improved performances may have something to do with being in the shop window recently,and Lee Bowyer is about as much value to ITFC as a chocolate teapot in my humble opinion!

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buryblue77 added 16:56 - Apr 20 Seasider, how can a chocolate teapot be of no use? I think it would taste great!
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Mark added 17:06 - Apr 20 Sonko - While not a total surprise, I feel sorry to see him go as he is a likeable character, a big, strong centre back who played very well for a time earlier in the season and probably would have kept his place were it not for an injury a few weeks back. With him leaving, we are exceptionally short on centre backs so this has to be a priority in the summer. Bowyer - I am very surprised that we want to keep him. Lee has had a poor season by his standards or any standards, and at the age of 35 I would release him. Leadbitter - He has had MONTHS to decide to sign a contract with ITFC and it seems he is just using us. A contract offer on the table from Ipswich makes it easier to get a good deal elsewhere as other clubs look to beat our offer. I would have stuck to our deadline and would withdraw the offer now. Smith - I wonder how long the contract we're giving him is? Again it boils down to money, but if we can get him relatively cheaply then why not go for a 3 year one?

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brian_a_mul added 17:26 - Apr 20 Im sad to see Sonko leave but he has an erattic fitness record. Despite his talent, its hard to get a settled defense when he only plays every few games. Plus with his age I dont see him getting an improved run of fitness. However its a testament to how well Smith has developed in Sonkos absence. If Tommy had not grabbed his chance, Im sure Sonko would be staying for another year. Best of luck Sonko!

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Eireannach_gorm added 17:37 - Apr 20 Unlike previous dealings I think Jewell has got these ones correct. Love Sonko and think he did a great job to steady the ship but he really is a poor defender. Correct to let him go. Thank you, Ibrahima. Bowyer is being offered a new contract on reduced terms which is about correct, he does have something to offer but is not going to be a long term squad member. If he does not accept will be no loss. Smith looks like he will is going to sign a new deal whatever it is. I have no issue giving Leadbitter more time to make up his mind. Like Bowyer if he leaves we wont be short but he can do a good job if he stays. Of all the contract negotiations it is Murphy I would be most concerned about. We really should have this one sorted. Are we ACTUALLY negotiating with Richard Wright??

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JeordieX added 18:15 - Apr 20 Bad move with Sonko :(
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fourth added 18:15 - Apr 20 I agree with WarkOn. At one point of the season Sonko was looking like Player of the Year. Smith has always needed to play in a professional set-up and as soon as that started to happen he shone. It was the return of a certain player from a successful lower division club that showed the way. Someone who had been enthused by a very different manager. Smith and Hyam then came in and put in solid performances week after week. We have subsequently seen a busy, talented distribution system which has become completely ineffective. Goals have dried up. It seems that (eg Birmingham) we have learnt how to break down some good teams at the expense of creative final balls and some erratic finishing. I somehow feel that PJ needs to take on a number 2 (say Harry R) so that he can learn the modern game. Not playing Luke Hyam? The man is not seeing it.

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Garv added 18:16 - Apr 20 Murphy is a loanee so I don't thinks its possible to have anything sorted yet is it?
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newboy added 18:31 - Apr 20 When will we stop running down the players it is not them it is the p*ss poor management by PJ and the clowns behind the scene. The OAPs are here taking fat wages because PJ wants them anyone else does not register with him Lawrence is a pathetic attempt on spin and i hope he doesn't ruin the boys career toying with him. THIS CLUB IS FINISHED IF THE MANAGEMENT STAYS AS IS no one wants to play for him

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jas0999 added 18:44 - Apr 20 Leadbitter will leave. Great news that Smith is going to sign though. As for Sonko - he came in and did a job, but was never the long-term fix. I wish him well, but wages can be better spent elsewhere. The defence though should have been dealt with last Summer. Sonko was an interim fix after some disasterous results.
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 18:44 - Apr 20 newboy..........the players dont look like they dont want to play for PJ to me. In fact Martin said only last week how grateful he is to the manger for playing him in the role he has been , Drury praised him recently and Chopra stated he had been right to leave him out. Doesnt sound like unhappy players to me.
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 18:46 - Apr 20 Jas ...........shocked as i am i agree with you about Sonko and Smith.
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SamWhiteUK added 19:27 - Apr 20 Unfortunately, the guy WAS a bit of a donkey...
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itfcbam added 19:37 - Apr 20 To be perfectly honest who are we to question whether Leadbitter is committed to the club and critisise him if he isn't now. For the last 2 years he has constantly been slated on this site and not been able to do anything right with many. By most accounts from those within the club who see him daily, he has been putting in the effort. How many of us would out of choice want to stay at their current place of employment, where they get constantly get critisised (often wrongly) for their performance and be asked to take a significant cut in wages when they may be able to command a better wage elsewhere! What would you do if that was YOUR circumstance in your place of work?? Recent form suggests he would be a decent player for us next season but then again he may just turn out toi be another player put off by the "boo boy" section of supporters. If he does go I wonder who will be the next target for that section?

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HK_Bluey added 19:43 - Apr 20 1st post, here goes: Tommy Smith-great news, has improved, will improve further and has proved he is one for the future Sonks-sounds like he was not ready to take a wage reduction others have, believe we have others in mind (Pearce), therefore right to let go GL- anyone really think he is going to sign? No, didn't think so... LB- ...therefore negotiating with LB on reduced terms makes sense Murphy - would like this to happen but suspect he will move on. On the right terms a good permanent addition but not worth breaking the bank for Need a keeper, central defender, wide midfielder and a striker. Think we are much closer now than for a long, long time. PJ has made some mistakes, learned and now is proving he can gel a team. Have to say IPJWT!! For now...

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