Town boss Paul Lambert has confirmed that forward Alan Judge is close to agreeing a new deal with the Blues, as TWTD previously reported, while owner Marcus Evans is talking to loanee Will Keane about his situation and a decision on the future of Grant Ward, currently sidelined with an ACL injury and out of contract in the summer, will be made at the end of the season.

Judge, 30, who is currently on a short-term contract to the end of the season having signed for a nominal fee from Brentford in January, is believed to be on the verge of signing a two-year deal with the Blues.

“I don’t think they’re too far away as I’m led to believe,” Lambert said. “I think Marcus and Judgey’s people have been speaking quite regularly, so hopefully, that gets done. I’ve said before, I’m not quite sure until it’s actually done.”

With the Blues almost certain to be in League One next season it might be viewed as surprising that a Championship club hasn’t wrested the Irishman away from the Blues.

“I don’t know, you’d have to wait and see,” Lambert reflected. “Judgey’s done brilliant for us since he’s been here, every time he gets the ball you think something’s going to happen, and he excites a crowd which is a great thing.

“And I think the crowd have really taken to him and if the club get him tied down I think it’s a great signing for them.”

Regarding talks with Keane, whose Hull contract is up in the summer although with the Tigers having an option to keep him for an additional year but not expected to take it up, Lambert appeared to imply wages might prove an obstacle for the Blues.

“Again, Marcus is dealing with that,” he said. “You've got to remember, Will came from Hull who weren’t that long ago were in the Premier League. I’m pretty sure Marcus will deal with that one.”

Ward is out until the end of this year with his injury by which time his contract will be up, although the Blues do have an option to keep the 24-year-old midfielder for a further season.

“Again, you need luck with injuries,” Lambert said when asked about the former Spurs youngster.

“I’m pretty sure all of the talks will take place at the end of the season and there will be some decisions made, good and bad or not nice ones and things like that, but that happens.

“To be fair to Wardy he’s worked really hard, and he’s doing really well with his rehab, and he’s walking a lot better, but again I think those talks will take place when it’s all finished.”

Photo: TWTD

SouperJim added 16:26 - Apr 4 I think we can probably spend our money better than what it'll take to get Keane, plus Ward can go for me. Often flatters to deceive and has only had a handful of truly decent performances in his three years here, I'd hate to see him getting in ahead of our much more promising youngsters.
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TimmyH added 16:46 - Apr 4 Forgot all about Ward and yes we can offload him...not so sure on Keane but the signing of Judge would be good by league one standards.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 17:33 - Apr 4 A bit worried about Keane's injury record. Not his fault, and I wish him well, but we've had enough of that kind of trouble in the past. Still think we should maybe give that bloke at Tranmere a look. We need someone who can put himself about in the penalty area - a target player. We seem to have quite a lot of reasonably technical midfielders to load the gun. Just need someone to fire it.

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jas0999 added 18:28 - Apr 4 Great news about Judge. Wouldn't pay over the odds for an injury prone Keane. In fact I wouldn't offer him a deal with his record. Sounds like Ward will depart.
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