Town keeper Dean Gerken has signed a new contract extending his time at Portman Road to the summer of 2019.

In April, the Blues took up a one-year option on the 32-year-old’s previous deal following interest from Cardiff City during the January transfer window with manager Mick McCarthy revealing then that talks regarding a longer term deal were under way. The contract is understood to include an option for a further season.

Speaking back then McCarthy said the ex-Colchester United and Bristol City man had been unlucky not to play more than three cup games and two Championship matches during 2016/17, Bartosz Bialkowski, last season’s Player of the Year, having been first-choice throughout.

“He’s been very unfortunate,” the Town boss said. “If anything happened to Bart and he got in for five, six, seven games and he played like he has in the past, he’d end up being first choice because that’s always been the case.

“Not two games, you don’t step in for two games, do well [and claim the shirt] when somebody has been doing as well as Bart, but if he got in and had six, seven games and we had a few clean sheets and he played well.

“Bart knows the rules as well. He’s got to get back in, then Bart would have to back him up like he’s done it for Bart. He’s kept Bart on his toes because Gerks is terrific.

“It’s vital [to have a number two keeper doing that]. If the first-choice keeper keeps looking at the number two thinking ‘He’ll never get in in my place’ he’s not going to be very motivated, is he?

“If you’ve got competition for your place and there’s only one place you better make sure you do it right, and do it right every day.”

Gerken joined the Blues following a successful trial after his release by Bristol City in the summer of 2013 and has now made 92 appearances for Town.

Photos: TWTD/ITFC

TractorRoyNo1 added 12:08 - Jun 29 Evans must be sweating, he needs Bart to go to fund new signings
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woohoo added 21:24 - Jun 29 Decent keeper and backup for Bart. We should remember just how dreadful our defense has been at some games -remember Lincoln?
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blueboy1981 added 22:57 - Jun 29 ......... will be surprised if Sunderland don't come in for Bart very soon now. Watch this space !!
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