Defender Wayne Brown has been offered a new two-year contract at Portman Road. Brown has hardly featured over the last two years, but Town's drop into the First Division could give him the opportunity to re-establish himself with the club.

The centre-half spent successful loan spells at Wimbledon and Watford last season and both sides were keen to sign him permanently.

The player himself was keen to make a move and was particularly enamoured with a switch to Watford, however neither club could raise the cash to take him from Town.

The 24-year-old told George Burley in May that he would like to be informed of any interest: "I've not made an official transfer request, but I've told the boss that I'd like regular first team football and if the right offer from the right club came in then I'd like to go."

Burley, though, sees the Barking-born player as part of his plans and told the club site: "I believe this has improved his game greatly and see him very much as having a big future at Ipswich Town.

"I will be looking to him to push his way into the side on a regular basis."

Last season Brown made one first team appearance for the Blues, in the FA Cup tie at Dagenham and Redbridge. His current contract ends in June 2003.

Photo: Action Images

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