Town winger Lee Martin has reiterated his desire to remain at Portman Road when his four-year deal expires in the summer.

But the former Manchester United player, who cost £1.7 million when Roy Keane signed him in July 2009, accepts he will have to wait until at least the end of the current campaign before his future is decided.

With Ipswich still uncertain they will be playing in the Championship next term they are reluctant to make fresh offers to any players whose present agreements are about to run out.

Martin, 26, said: “I want to stay — I’ve said that all along — but the current situation probably doesn’t allow us to go into contract negotiations until we climb away from the bottom.

“We’re talking. It hasn’t stopped the discussions but I think it’s been put off until we see where we finish up.”

Martin was asked if he had spoken to other clubs, which he has been entitled to do since January under the freedom of contract rules.

He replied: “No, not really. Day to day you just come in, get your head down and work hard. There are more pressing issues to worry about than contracts. You put that to one side and get on with your football.”

Photo: Action Images

ManningtreeBlue99 added 20:34 - Feb 28 I say give him a chance. He's obviously a player who likes the club and is willing to put effort in for us. He isn't played in his position but he does not moan or complain. He plays and puts in more effort than anyone else on the pitch. People are to quick to critisice him when he's the most talented player we have when he's in good form.
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ChrisMakin2012 added 20:44 - Feb 28 Get rid
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theobald1985 added 20:50 - Feb 28 totally agree ManningtreeBlue99 .matin is decent player and i think he could be converted to centre mid where his work rate would be valued and he is more threataning through the centre.if we changed to 4231 he would be ideal as the central man in the forward line of 3 you could have wordsworth left of him and taylor on his right and mcgoldrick or chopra up front hyam and ndaw holding role and the same back four and keeper we have now.we would do well like this i rekon

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ericclacton added 21:04 - Feb 28 I think Martin should be chosen for the world xI.
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ormey75 added 21:25 - Feb 28 He huffs and he puffs but he never blows the house down, sorry Lee but you just aint good enough, we need goal scoring midfielders and you will never be one of those, we need 3 - 4 players who score on a regular basis if we are ever going to get promoted, out with the old and bring in some new talent, massive letdown
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Tufty added 21:31 - Feb 28 At least he is a blue
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IronBlue29 added 21:34 - Feb 28 He isn't always the best but if, just if, we go down we'll regret letting him go.
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lucytown added 21:35 - Feb 28 Marshalls Mullet - how do you know he is not telling the truth? Every one seems to know so much about what wages he's on (Edmunds5 says he's on 12k). Do any of us know the facts - probably not - we just think we do.
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Sindre94 added 21:41 - Feb 28 Basically I like him, his workethic is not to put doubt over, he works his socks off. Give him more training regarding his ballskills and we can have a better player on our hands, Ive not given up on him yet.
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Edmunds5 added 21:47 - Feb 28 Lucytown- I said "£12k or whatever he's on"- implying that I would guess about £12k but I dont know, I wasn't stating a fact.
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Edmunds5 added 21:47 - Feb 28 Lucytown- I said "£12k or whatever he's on"- implying that I would guess about £12k but I dont know, I wasn't stating a fact.
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h32 added 22:00 - Feb 28 Sindre94 - totally agree with you - as I have said previously - Martin's faults / failings should / could be coached into /out of him as necessary. A challenge for a really good coach - and shouldn't be a problem. Words as spoken to me from 'a really good coach' .
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robbo80 added 22:08 - Feb 28 I only looked at this article to find out who Martin Keen was
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Marshalls_Mullet added 22:19 - Feb 28 Lucytown - he is rumored to be on around 12k per week and given his transfer fee from utd do you really think that is unrealistic?? Little naive perhaps.
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Marshalls_Mullet added 22:25 - Feb 28 By the way, I didn't even mention his wage in my first comment!!!!
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theobald1985 added 22:30 - Feb 28 ormey75 are you really suggesting more comings and goings? i dont think there is a lot of difference bettween most palyers in the division a few stand out but i think any group who work together develop partnerships and understanding as a team can do well.we need to work with a tighter squad. i personally would bring nobody in wwhether we stay up or go down and trim the squad a little.uphealval has been the problem with us.

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JustSpivvyChops added 22:47 - Feb 28 £1.7million (actually rose to about 2.2 with add ons) and a 4 year deal............unbelievable Jeff. Genuinely up there with one of the worst players i've ever seen at this level of football. Given the fee, wages and length of contract, he's in the top 5...........please, please, please, please just go away.
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Garv added 00:47 - Mar 1 Will be interesting to see if he really does back up what he says here, after the likes of Leadbitter and Norris have said very similar and then done the offs. I like Martin, but only really for his work rate and energy, and players would much rather be praised for being a good player. He had his best moments in the 4-2-3-1 of last season in the hole where we was a joy to watch and even scored a few goals. But what are the chances of him getting the chance to play there (his favourite position) again? Unfortunately on the wing Lee Martin is ultimately not good enough in my opinion. Sorry Lee.

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jimmyjohn679 added 07:38 - Mar 1 How about you lot stop slating one player there's 10 more on the pitch or you could get behind the the whole team which mite help... Capiche!
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ArnieMsBigToe added 09:33 - Mar 1 I do not like to be negative, but Martin reminds me too much of Forest Gump.
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osborne1nil added 12:03 - Mar 1 Part of the Roy Keane disasterous spending spree, where lots was spent on medicore players that rarely returned what was required. Never been able to do what Magic got out of Walters down the wing, a player that had Keane not upset (like most of those at PR) could have still been here or sold on for a greater sum. I like Martins effort, which most people seem to appreciate and wish he could find the goals or final ball. He is a bit powder puff on the ball as easily knocked off it or over and his corners and crosses need much improvement. He seems to take too long at times on the ball and loses it, when a pass and move option would have better. Would like to see MM / TC sort out these areas and LM would be a decent player. We severly lack goals from midfield and the killer through ball or cross for the strikers to put away. If the coaches can create this from the current squad then great, if not then replacements are needed.

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osborne1nil added 12:05 - Mar 1 * mediocre
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mitchitfc96 added 13:01 - Mar 1 i hope he stays
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BlueMachines added 13:21 - Mar 1 Give Martin a break. Lets not forget the fact that he has to work with the most ineffectual town player on the ball, Aaron Cresswell. Maybe if he had some better support going forward it would help Martin's performances?
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Fatcatevans added 19:43 - Mar 1 I defy any of his admirers to say he has been a success in his time here. Yes he runs around. Big deal, but there's no end product , no goals precious few assists so why the big debate? Lets replace him. His career record shows he,s not gonna suddenly be a roaring success elsewhere.
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