Skipper Sam Morsy says he’s led to believe that striker Kayden Jackson will sign a new deal with Town.

Jackson is out of contract at the end of the season and manager Kieran McKenna recently intimated that new terms would be offered to the frontman, who joined the Blues from Accrington Stanley for £1.6 million in the summer of 2018.

The 28-year-old was out of favour under both Paul Lambert and Paul Cook but his Town career has undergone a renaissance since McKenna took over and he scored three times in six matches prior to suffering a hamstring injury which looks set to end his season.

Morsy, 30, was asked how the dressing room has been this season with a number of players who would feel they’re first team players either out of the XI or matchday 18 at any one time.

The Egypt international, one of the 19 players brought into the club last summer, cited Jackson as an example of how members of the squad have dealt with the situation.

“It’s been really good, to be honest, it’s been surprisingly good actually because there are all sorts of problems which can come from having a lot of good lads who are out of the squad and not playing,” Morsy said in an interview with The Athletic’s The Totally Football League Show (21 mins, 10 secs) in which he also talked about working with McKenna, adding goals to his game and Cook’s time at the club, as well as the Blues’ prospects for the remainder of the campaign.

“Probably Kayden Jackson [is the best example]. For a long part of the season, he didn’t get a sniff, wasn’t involved, but he carried himself really well, got on with his work, kept his head down, was quiet.

“Then the new manager’s come in, he’s had an opportunity, he’s done really well and he’s ended up getting injured.

“But I just thought that was a great example just because he wasn’t in the squad, he wasn’t involved but he maintained just being a really good professionals.

“And then when he did [get in the squad], he definitely took his chance. He’s out of contract in the summer and I’m led to believe he’s going to sign a new deal here, which is great for him.

“To be honest, the lads have conducted themselves really well. Even James Norwood as well, James Norwood has probably got an unfair reputation really.

“But again when he wasn’t playing, he was really good, even when he was with the U23s, he wasn’t negative, he was really good, then he’s come in, he’s taken his chance back in the team.

“All the lads who haven’t been involved, Woolfy [Luke Woolfenden] the same, all good lads. And it helps really because in football it can change fast and I think because these lads have behaved how they’ve behaved as soon as they’ve had a chance, everyone’s got right behind them.

“You can see at different clubs or when players act in a certain way when they’re not in the team, it’s easy to hold a grudge, the players will have some resentment towards them, but I can honestly say the lads have been great really, really easy.”

Photo: Matchday Images

ArnieM added 16:16 - Mar 29 It's down to man management. To do that you have to have an understanding , and empathy with your “ work colleague”, and most of all an ability to communicate with people. Communication is not just “ talking”, is non verbal ( being aware of body language, people say more with their body posturing and facial expressions, before they even open their mouths). A good communicator will pick up on all of this NVC and the best communicators interact, not talk down too, or at. There are Not many managers ( in any walk of life) that actually have that skill. Kieran McKenna appears to have all of these qualities…..

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chepstowblue added 17:02 - Mar 29 If we keep him ill support him, but even with his recent improvement I'd not lose any sleep if he were to move on. His first good performance in 2 seasons was greeted with disproportionate praise and comments on here could have suggested he was on his way to PSG. Im also not convinced that a fortnight constitutes a 'renaissance' so i still don't believe him to be the answer. We currently have 4 strikers who were prolific for their previous clubs,all of whom should be performing to a better standard. Why we can't get consistent showings from any of them needs to be addressed this summer. Personally I think interest in Clarke-Harris at Peterborough will be rekindled.

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Saxonblue74 added 17:35 - Mar 29 Chepstow, agree with all except your Clarke - Harris suggestion!
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Marinersnose added 17:49 - Mar 29 I'm not a Jackson fan but he has performed well since McKenna's arrival and he now has an experienced coach who can develop players. Jackson has pace which is an asset at any level. I believe he's earned himself a new contract and I'll certainly support the manages judgement. I don't see him as a 20 goal a season striker but McKenna will play to his strengths so who knows. Cole Stockton worth a punt. Prolific for consecutive seasons in a poor team. He's a natural finisher but not a big target man, McKenna will pull a a Rabbit out of the hat I'm sure.

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therein61 added 18:10 - Mar 29 Km's man management(for such a young manager) appears to have made a wholesale difference to the club the squad is happier now we don't have people who think they are cast in stone certs to start since 4&8 departed and the relaxed holiday camp atmosphere has been buried(thank heavens) and all involved have bought into working together as a united unit to take the club upwards(yes cook made some very good signings but didn't have a clue about his chosen x1 and didn't give a toss about players he didn't like, very poor man management) we are now what i feel to be a professional club again and if too late this year i think we will rip this division next season.

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gosblue added 18:32 - Mar 29 As others have said, man management and a decent coach have worked wonders with KJ. His biggest problem for me was always being offside. It was so annoying. A word in his ear and a bit of time on the training ground is all it will have taken. He can give any defender in this league a yard start and still leave them in his wake. I think we need four strikers plus a couple of the youngsters knocking on the door. KJ has shown enough to earn a contract. Six games for the others to shine. Simples.

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KiwiBlue2 added 23:25 - Mar 29 KJ's short renaissance under McK before the injury is encouraging and Morsy was complimentary about his attitude, all of which bodes well. His pace is a distinct asset, particularly chasing through balls. That said I think that under the new coaching regime he can be improved in areas where he is not so strong. Norwood and Piggot were very successful at their previous clubs and Nors has a useful record over the time he has been here. I would retain them. The man who might miss out is Bonne. For what it would likely cost to bring him in permanently we could possibly pay a bit more and get the fox in the box which we need. An interesting close season looms.... coyb

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