Town boss Mick McCarthy says he will not be offering striker Luke Varney a new contract but that full-back or midfielder Kevin Foley could stay at Portman Road.

Varney, 33, signed a short-term deal with the Blues in December having spent the previous six months undergoing rehab with Town after suffering a serious achilles injury during the play-offs while on loan from Blackburn, who subsequently released him in the summer.

In total, the much-travelled frontman has made 11 starts and 21 sub appearances for the Blues, scoring two goals.

“I have spoken to Reg today and told him we won’t be offering him anything,” McCarthy told Ipswich Player HD.

“He’s a top professional and a top person and I’d like to think we have both been good for each other.

“We looked after him when he snapped his achilles and he has repaid us with his professionalism and what he has done on the pitch for us.

“We have four strikers though - Murph, Didz, Freddie and Brett Pitman - and they have been in front of him because of injury and one reason and another."

Former Irish international Foley was reunited with his former Wolves boss McCarthy in January when he signed on a free transfer, agreeing a deal to the end of the season, having left FC Copenhagen the previous summer.

The 31-year-old has made six starts and two substitute appearances for Town.

“With Foles, it’s an ongoing discussion," the Town boss added. "He is versatile and would give us options but fundamentally he is a right-back.

“We have Josh [Emmanuel] coming through in that position and when we kick-off next season, the best right-back we have here will play.

“Foles will have other options as well. Most importantly, he will want to play regularly. He will sit down with his family and decide what’s best for him.”

Photo: Action Images

Freddiesearsismagic added 16:28 - May 5 Good decision, works hard but not good enough for a promotion chasing side. Just hope we sign a goal scorer ine the summer, in my opinion none of the current strikers will get 20 next season.
6

Penguinblue added 16:29 - May 5 So why didn't the best right back play this year? Pathetic McCarthy OUT
-20

rickw added 16:30 - May 5 Sign Foley up to compete with Emmanuel for Right Back, only consider Chambers as a Centre Back from now on!! I could understand either way with Varney, he's not much of a goal threat but his determination and workrate encourages others to do the same
19

MattinLondon added 16:31 - May 5 Interesting that MM didn't also to Luke Chmabers being a full-back. Maybe he will play more centrally next season?
5

sidtheswan added 16:34 - May 5 Varney always tried had but not a goal scorer so had to go really . Like Foley decent footballer .
5

BlueMachines added 16:39 - May 5 "the best right-back we have here will play." Well that will make a nice change!!
15

12th_Man added 16:42 - May 5 Disappointed with this we better sign some players
-1

prebsa added 16:43 - May 5 Agreed that we shouldn't keep Varney. Works very hard and has great passion but not enough to get us promoted. Surprised Mick still sees Sears as a striker as he has been out of position most of the time but let's see what he does next year. Right back is a funny one too. For years now we have played people out of position there, Chambers and Edwards. And let stronger fullbacks leave, Parr. So for him to say our best right back will play is interesting. Let's hope doesn't class Chambers in the right back category!

15

rgp1 added 16:44 - May 5 'With foles' are we signing horses now!
5

skusesrightpeg added 16:48 - May 5 Four strikers I'm sure there is only 3 listed and got himself confused I'm sure Sears is wide midfield
1

Elto added 16:48 - May 5 I thought I heard MM suggest Chambers would be centre back next season during the post match interview last Saturday on Radio Suffolk. I'm not sure if it was a dream now! Anyone else hear that?
6

Elto added 16:51 - May 5 Or 'wasn't a dream' even.
1

RobTheMonk added 16:52 - May 5 Wouldn't mind Foley as a backup to be honest. Hope Emmanuel cracks on during pre season as an attacking fullback.
5

unknown100 added 16:56 - May 5 Feel sorry for him, think he got injured at just the wrong time, a good player but shows a good sign that the clubs looking forward and not keeping a hold of favourites, he will do really well at another club but probably a lower championship side or higher league one team, best of luck to him!
8

CambridgeBlue added 17:16 - May 5 A good decision, sensible not to keep him and get someone else in. However I'm glad we looked after him while he got himself sorted and then gave him some games. If you've got your financial hat on it doesn't make much sense, but if you want to be the 'right kind of club' then that's what you should do.
12

blue75 added 17:20 - May 5 So Chambers is right back again then!
-1

meekreech added 17:30 - May 5 Elto Yes he did say Chambers would have to re-learn his central skills . Leaves me with the impression that a centre back could be leaving . We would have Digby and Clarke as well to supply the competition and back-up .
4

Cloddyseedbed added 17:39 - May 5 We're letting Reg go but given an extended contract to Douglas. yeah right! Is Tabb finally going to leave the club now, that was also taking the P. For the record I thought Reg was very good when played out wide right cutting in, that was the best football he played before his injury in that position and like many others had had to fill in anywhere.
3

Cloddyseedbed added 17:40 - May 5 Not really impressed with "Foles" when he did have one game in his best position as full back, he didn't look comfortable there.
0

Surco72 added 17:48 - May 5 Very average signing for a then promotion push done nothing got a lot of money from us in doing so but MM likes him top bloke so that's all good then
-3

dugoutdave added 18:00 - May 5 Elto - yep he did say that and then it was then discussed by Mick Mills. I def got the impression that Chambers would be moving back to central defence. I presumed that he had seen enough in Emmanuel to have faith in him and or he would turn to Foley. If true I would see Berra dropping down. Smith has had a good season so hence he retains his place. Let the speculation begin!

2

essexboy added 18:03 - May 5 Good honest player.I wish him all the very best.
10

strikalite added 18:05 - May 5 Never really understood why we signed him, scoring record was poor but I understand he worked hard and had a good character....good luck to him but we need better and thankfully the man who brought him here also now sees that..
1

Westcountryblue added 18:07 - May 5 Not really that keen on Foley staying too. We need to bring in a top quality RB as it has been an issue for several seasons now.
0

essexboy added 18:13 - May 5 Elto,sorry mate,I down marked you by mistake.very sorry.
1

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