Town boss Paul Cook believes veteran pair Luke Chambers and Cole Skuse still have some football in them whether that’s at Portman Road or elsewhere next season.

The duo, both 35, are among those who are out of contract in the summer and along with their team-mates will learn their fate on Monday.

Centre-half Chambers joined on a free transfer after leaving Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2012 and has been club captain for most of his time with the Blues, while his close friend midfielder Skuse signed on a free transfer from Bristol City the following year.

Both have been linked with Colchester United - along with ex-U’s striker Freddie Sears - with Skuse having been spotted at the JobServe Community Stadium last weekend with another friend, ex-Town defender and Maldon & Tiptree boss Wayne Brown.

The Jammers have a close connection with the U’s with Brown having been the League Two side’s caretaker-manager earlier in the season.

Cook has kept his cards close to his chest on who he might keep and who he will release in the summer. However, whatever he decides on Chambers and Skuse, he believes they will still have a part to play somewhere.

“One hundred percent,” he insisted. “They’ve both got football in them, whether that’s at Portman Road, as I say we want to do everything properly now guys.

“It’s tough because everyone has a feeling when a new manager comes in when the squads in the position it’s in, when new ownership comes in. There’s so much doubt around the building, and it’s not nice.

“Because this is people’s livelihoods and families and people have moved to the area, and there’s a lot of pain and hurt around it.

“It’s easy for managers to be brutal and say this and that, but we’ve got to remember all these people have feelings that we’re involved with.

“So let’s do everything as well as we can, everyone that will play the game Sunday, we’ll speak to everyone involved, and hopefully, people will have clarity on their futures and the way forward for us a club.”

Will there be any room for sentiment regarding his team selection on Sunday with both having been great servants to the club over many years. Chambers may well be involved in any case at right-back with Kane Vincent-Young out with a shoulder injury which is expected to require a minor operation.

“Again, for Ipswich fans, I think sentiment in football is something that I’m not so sure there is if I’m being truthful,” he reflected. “I think it’s a very cold industry now.

“Certainly for the two guys we’re speaking about, Chambo and Cole, I think they’ve been exemplary pros for this football club, I think they’ve been stand out men, stand out people, they’ve had good careers at the club.

“Chambo will obviously be involved on Sunday, as will probably Cole in the squad but what the team selection will look like will be seen.

“For those two lads, it would have been obviously a lot better if the supporters and their families could have been in the stadium to see them play.

‘Obviously that’s not the case, but both their futures are still to be decided as well, so whilst we do look on that side of it, the sentiment, we’re also looking at ideally wanting to win the game, that’s what football is about.

“We’re trying to get messages into players, consistent messages now, on how we play, on style of play, on identity and converting chances. And certainly in the last two games we’ve had enough chances to win football games, and that’s been a small pleasing point.”

Photos: Matchday Images

SouperJim added 11:56 - May 7 Despite how poor we've been throughout the Evans era, I for one feel quite sad that I won't be at Portman Road on Sunday to give Chambo and Skuse a clap for the last time. Whatever your feelings on their ability and the role they have played in our recent demise, you can't question their integrity and that they have given everything for ITFC. What a sad way to end their time here.

33

RobsonWark added 11:58 - May 7 YAY!!! That definitely sounds to me like No.4 and No.8 won't be here come Tuesday. Things just keep getting better and better :)
-17

foot_kick_ball_goal added 11:58 - May 7 Every. Single. Manager has had nothing but positive things to say about these two. Makes me wonder why they are so hated on this site.
33

Timefliesbyintheblue added 12:00 - May 7 What ever happens to Messers Chambers and Skuse I hope the good folk of TWTD just remember what Paul Cook has said. During the next few days, it is important that we all act with dignity and forget the past and look forward to the future.
7

SouperJim added 12:03 - May 7 foot_kick_ball_goal I think they've been victims of the fact that they aren't particularly glamorous players. You need water carriers in a side, it's not their fault the blend has been poor and they haven't had performing flair players around them. Managers like good pros who they can depend on and they know what they are going to get, Chambers and Skuse pretty much epitomise this. Supporters will only see their limitations and it's a cruel irony that their professionalism makes them so visible, to the point of which they end up on the receiving end of the kind of vitriol which should in fact be directed at others within the team.

13

buzbyblue added 12:16 - May 7 Don't let the door hit you on the arse on the way out boys, easily the worst Captain and vice Captain this club has ever had
-20

Europablue added 12:23 - May 7 foot_kick_ball_goal I don't hate them, and it is sad when good servants leave, but it is the right decision for the club. They are naturally close to retirement, but also it will be easier to have a clean break with new leaders on the pitch that will be first on the teamsheet.
3

BlueBlood90 added 12:26 - May 7 I personally want them both to be released as we need a fresh start and new leaders within the changing room but I don't understand the hatred these two receive on this site. Whether you think they're good footballers or not it's hard to deny they've given everything they have for the club and deserve nothing but our best wishes in their futures.
8

stocktractor added 12:35 - May 7 I cant believe any of us would really want to keep these 2 players if we are to progress as a club. you say loyal to the club but really is chambers good enough or has been good enough in last 10 years to go anywhere else and under his leadership the slow decline with a powerful player power in the changing room. Hurst saw it was a disease but wasn't strong enough to out the so called senior players. thanks for the header at carrow road Luke, but i wont be sad to see you go. Young vibrant energetic captain for a new beginning.

6

Marinersnose added 12:46 - May 7 It very much depends on who you speak to in relation to Chambo. Yes he makes a point of getting on with every manager and as Captain that is right. I've heard very negative comments in relation to his input at the club but the complete opposite with Skuse. I think it's time to move on as a club but both have contributed.
2

3stars added 12:59 - May 7 No one deserves to be hated on and it is a shame that they won't get a proper send off from the fans on Sunday. But, when reading that headline I did wonder whether their poor performances in recent seasons have been because they do actually have a football lodged somewhere inside them!
0

SheptonMalletBlue added 13:01 - May 7 Yeah, playing for Leiston! They might just make the bench.
8

Reuserscurtains added 13:24 - May 7 Chambers - wet lettuce
5

afcfee added 14:09 - May 7 Both been dropped by Cook and u trust his opinion as everyone use to say when they were 1st names on team sheet. Fair play to them but should of done it couple years ago and left in good light imo.
5

TractorFrog added 16:22 - May 7 Both are club legends, and deserve one last 90 minutes tomorrow, in what should act as a testimonial for the two. COYB!
0

bernie added 17:31 - May 7 I like them both , and you can't knock Chambo as a captain but unfortunately they are getting on . And they have had to work under some poor managers except Mm , but if it's the end than all the best lads .
0

cat added 17:54 - May 7 So Cooks says there no sentiment in football, unfortunately that don't apply to many of our fans. If scraping into the playoffs is your greatest achievement then that stinks of achieving sweet FA! You judge a player on their success on the turf, not what they do off it. A fresh start and a clean slate is what's required, with new owners, new sponsors and a forward thinking manager we are very nearly there.

5

TractorRoyNo1 added 18:02 - May 7 Taxi! or should that be Dustcart!
0

RobsonWark added 18:45 - May 7 TractorFrog added 16:22 - May 7 "Both are club legends" OMG!!! What planet are you on??? Club legends are JOHN WARK, TERRY BUTCHER, ARNOLD MUHREN, PAUL COOPER, FRANS THIJJSEN, ETC. ETC. NOT 2 USELESS TW#TS WHO TOOK US DOWN TO THE THIRD DIVISION!!!
8

istanblue added 19:26 - May 7 Uh oh. This better not be Cook's way of preparing the fanbase for Chambers and Skuse getting contract extensions. IT'S TIME TO GOOOO
2

londontractorboy57 added 12:47 - May 8 foot_kick_ball_goal because most users of this site are opinionated melts
-1

londontractorboy57 added 12:47 - May 8 foot_kick_ball_goal because most users of this site are opinionated melts
-1

eddiespearitt03 added 16:02 - May 8 Before relegation. In recent years, we have seen plenty of really poor games and wasted away trips. We have seen NO effort put into a cup competition and little enjoyment in the Championship . . After relegation we watch half a season of effort put into a League One campaign. This is not the time to start calling players legends or hero,s. This club has achieved nothing other than the anonymous Evans, manager fall-outs and supporters frustration . Looking back, all we can do is look at Evans epic failure and hanging on to all the stuff that helped ruin this club. Looking forward, the long over due changes has to happen now. Hopefully we can compete in every game and once again we can take part in cup competitions again.

1

Cheshire_Blue added 17:51 - May 8 They are hated on this site because it is inhabited by clueless numpties. The same ones that hounded Mick McCarthy out and are responsible for our downward spiral ever since. And they won't like being told this because the truth hurts.
0

AlanG296 added 20:13 - May 8 Chambers is the epitome of the mediocrity that has been accepted at the club for too long. If the club had been successful in the Championship he would have been moved on long ago. Not saying he's responsible for it but the club's declining standards have enabled him to keep his job. Time to expect better.
1

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls