Town boss Paul Lambert has praised central defender James Wilson’s performances since he joined the club in the summer and says extending the Welshman’s short-term contract beyond January is something that needs to be looked at.

The 30-year-old joined the Blues on trial in the summer and did enough to be offered a five-month deal which runs until New Year's Day.

Having made his debut at Burton on the opening day Wilson, who had departed Lincoln by mutual consent earlier in the summer, has now made eight starts.

“He's done great,” Lambert said. “As I said before, the biggest compliment I can give him is the lad came with no real pre-season, no real training and was thrown into games on trial, which is hard enough let alone not training, so I think that's been testament to himself and the way he has applied himself. He's a good lad, and in this moment he is playing well.”

Has he asked about having his deal extended? “He hasn't. He's a quiet lad to be fair to him. He's certainly doing himself no harm whatsoever and I'm pretty sure it's something we need to look at.”

Town’s backline has conceded only five goals this season, fewer than anyone else in the division, with Luke Woolfenden also having played his part after coming into the team in August.

Asked whether the 20-year-old was unlucky not to be involved last weekend as the Blues beat Tranmere 4-1, Lambert said: “Yes, but he's a kid, and I think you've got to remember he's only a kid and he has to learn the good things and the bad things of football.

“He's done great when he's been played, and he's done really well when he hasn't played, he's trained really well. He's come on leaps and bounds, he really has. He’s done really good and whenever I play him, he's never let us down.”

Photo: TWTD

Suffolkboy added 13:47 - Oct 3 All the signs here are good ,but JW would ,it definitely seems , be a valuable addition to our pool of talent .Has looked to have a good head on his shoulders, contributing ,by reports, widely and wisely . In little doubt P L will ensure everything is taken in to account and progress occurs . COYB
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Ipswichbusiness added 13:51 - Oct 3 He has come in and done a good job in a position in which we are short. We should get him signed up before another club (e.g. Derby) comes knocking.
8

Foreverdon_Blue added 13:56 - Oct 3 I have been impressed with all of PL's signings and have been very pleasantly surprised by James Wilson. I wasn't sure about him, but has had a good season so far and certainly deserves a contract extension.
9

RobTheMonk added 14:18 - Oct 3 Absolutely should be given an extension.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 14:20 - Oct 3 Sign him up
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midastouch added 14:32 - Oct 3 I was thinking the other day he can't be on that much (at least in relative terms) and deserves to be on parity with plenty of the other players as he's certainly proved his worth so far this season. As said above SIGN HIM UP!
4

jas0999 added 17:44 - Oct 3 Probably worth an extension until the end of the season. Done very well recently after a shaky start.
2

Edmundo added 19:18 - Oct 3 Solid, no nonsense defender. Definitely what we need at this level. Contract to end of the season, then trust PL to upgrade the squad where required.
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Lathers added 20:01 - Oct 3 It's a no brainer to extend him until the end of the season. However, I think having a regular CB partnership is vital (as is CM with Skuse and Downes) so I'd like to see Chambers and Woolfenden playing every game and being given the chance to forge a top partnership ready for Championship football again next season.
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Linkboy13 added 21:52 - Oct 3 He's done a very good job but feel sorry for Luke Wolfenden who i think is the better footballer of the two Wilson is not very good on the ball with very little skill. I think Lambert likes him because he's better than Wolfenden in the air . I would give him a contract till the end of the season, just hope we don't lose another good young player.
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Linkboy13 added 09:42 - Oct 4 Lathers Don't think Chambers would be up to championship football next season. For Wolfenden to progress he needs to be playing now although Wilson has done well i would pick Wolfenden as he is the better all round player.
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KiwiBlue2 added 04:40 - Oct 5 Agree Linkboy regarding Chambers next season. I can also see Skuse being used in central defence a bit more this season even when Nsiala comes back. We are certainly looking much better in this department than last year even allowing for the drop in division. Great to see another clean sheet at Fleetwood .... coyb.......
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