Massimo Luongo has confirmed his desire to stay with Town beyond the end of the season when his short-term deal is due to expire.

The 30-year-old Australian was signed in January and has become one of the most popular players at Portman Road after seizing his chance to replace the injured Lee Evans and form a midfield partnership alongside skipper Sam Morsy.

While Morsy has won promotion with previous clubs Chesterfield and Wigan, it will be a first-time experience for Luongo if the Blues defeat Exeter at Portman Road tomorrow to seal their Championship return to a level he knows very well.

Asked about his future beyond the end of the current campaign, Luongo joked that he had forgotten his contract was coming to an end. “I’d forgotten about that,” he laughed.

“There hasn’t really been time to think about that because we’ve been so busy playing games. I’ll worry about that at the end of the season — whatever happens, happens — but I’d love to stay. It’s a great club.

“I’ve been part of so many play-off games so to get automatic promotion would be amazing.

“Personally, it would be great to have it on my CV, but I want to play games and play well. I don’t want to be at a club that gets promoted and not play — that would not have the same feeling — so I just need to get on the pitch tomorrow, do my job and, if we win, feel like I deserve it.”

Asked how the current Town squad compared to those at his previous second-tier clubs, Luongo said: “Obviously, you can tell that the players who have been recruited here are not League One players. But the problem is still that we need to get out of League One.

“We have Championship-level players at this club and if we go up I think we’ll be alright. I’d love to be part of it next season. I see myself as a really good player — you have to back yourself — but that would be nice. We just need to get the job done.”

Luongo went on to explain that his midfield double act with Morsy is based on mutual respect between the pair, the captain recently stating that they clicked straight away, and supporters have been raving about the duo in their time together.

“We’re never really on the same side but when we train together it’s good because I think we have a few similar attributes,” Luongo said.

“The other boys make fun of us a little bit, calling us twins, but I pride myself on how I train and Sam’s the same. He’s at it every single day and if anyone’s standards slip, he’ll soon let them know about it. His standards never slip so I think he brings out the best in everyone.

“When your captain is at it, 100 per cent every day, every training session, he wants all the players to be the same and the other boys work hard as well. I take pride in how I train and live my life, again Sam’s the same, and it rubs off on the others.

“I’m one of the more senior players and I try to help the younger guys when I can. I like to let my football do the talking but if Sam’s having a go at someone, I might try to be the good cop. It tends to work. I look up to people like Sam, who demand so much of the other players.

“It’s nice to have people like that in your team and I’ve played alongside many like that. You can learn from them but you can also help them and make them look even better. They can make you look better as well, so it’s important to create good relationships with people like that.

“Everything here is great. The players, the manager, the coaches, everyone is brilliant. The detail we have is second to none based on my career until now, but the best thing about it is that they are all such good people and you don’t really get that 100 per cent at most clubs.

“They have done well in selecting the type of people to come into this club, which is something that is probably underrated. You get a lot of good players out there but you don’t always get top, top people in football.”

Asked what it felt like to be part of a team chasing promotion, Luongo responded: “I’ve been part of it for a lot of my career, especially in League One. I’m telling you now, it’s tough, and it’s easy to get caught up in it. You can’t get too high with one win and then too low when defeat can seem to ruin everything.

“It is definitely emotional and you’ve got to have the right characters to block everything out. Once you’re in the building, you’re in the building and you don’t listen to or hear what’s going on elsewhere.

“It’s pressure but it’s good pressure because you’d rather have that than being at the other end of the table. It’s exciting and it’s an emotional rollercoaster, but it’s definitely an excitement that you need.”

Town have two games left to play to round off the season but the perfect outcome would be to clinch promotion at home in front of their own fans. Luongo added: “It’s the last home game of the season and I think everyone wants to win the last home game of the season.

“They want to win every game and I’m like that. I just want to win the game and that’s how I’m going into it.”

Photo: Matchday Images

dyersdream added 20:16 - Apr 28 Sign him up
20

davidsc1971 added 20:19 - Apr 28 Sign. Him. Up. A massive part of our 2nd half improvement in so many ways. Takes the pressure off Sam resulting in less bookings for him and together they are a formidable duo and amongst the best in League One. Unlucky not to score on Tuesday and is surely due one tomorrow. Bring it on
9

Whos_blue added 20:29 - Apr 28 No brainer! Chant for tomorrow. "Ashdon, get you cheque book out!"!
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BotesdaleBlue added 20:39 - Apr 28 The various interviews I have read and heard from Massimo are some of the most interesting, reflective and insightful of any Town player in recent times. Mass has got a real football brain on him and has a real mature outlook on the game and the bigger picture. Please, ITFC, sign him up as soon as possible after the season ends. That would be another fantastic boost to us all.

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Saxonblue74 added 20:47 - Apr 28 No objection from me! Our midfield "twins" have been outstanding.
6

BeattiesBackPocket added 21:48 - Apr 28 He's been outstanding and so has Morsy both definitely championship level at least. I'd give him a contract but I dare say he may also want to see what league we're in first then get it sorted which is understandable as he is for me championship level at least. 🙏 COYB's 💙🤍
6

Karlosfandangal added 21:50 - Apr 28 Should only sign him if he colours his hair blue, as I keep getting him Morsy mixed up
2

Julsiefeelgood added 22:29 - Apr 28 What a great addition in January. I didn't realise how much we needed him until he arrived. Has been superb. Absolute class alongside Morsy.
6

Theipswich added 23:13 - Apr 28 Such a refined and intelligent player… has made a substantial difference to the team and I would sign him… promotion or no promotion… Mckeena chose well
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theworstcaseRomario added 01:20 - Apr 29 Bosses the midfield with Samy. Has been a great signing, especially on a free I think. Only problem is I struggle to pronounce his first name. But definitely sign him up. & George Hirst if possible. COYB
1

waldenblue7 added 07:36 - Apr 29 No brainer, extend
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Bazza8564 added 08:02 - Apr 29 Like everybody else I'm 100% hoping he will stay. Probably like no-one else, I think next season we will see Morsy OR Massimo rather than both, with either Evans or Camara in the creative role. There is no doubt playing them together in tough League One games has paid dividends, but the Championship, should we deliver today, will be a slightly better footballing league and I expect or midfielders will fit into two camps, with Ball in the muscle camp and Cam H in the creative one alongside those above. Time will tell i guess, but this fella has to stay

2

BlueandTruesince82 added 08:16 - Apr 29 Sign him up, sign him up sign him up
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Len_Brennan added 09:19 - Apr 29 It certainly seems like a no brained to sign him, but there are a few factors to consider: We have 3 solid, experienced 'Championship' midfielders as it is, in Morsy, Evans & Ball, all of whom are a strong presence in there, capable of finding passes & taking goal scoring opportunities. Luongo fits into that mould too. Given that Morsy is the first name on the teamsheet, we might argue that Luongo has been the most effective patner for him of those 3. We also have Camara coming back to fitness, who has been a top League 1 player & has undoubted quality to play at a higher level. It's a pity we haven't really gotten to see him play for Ipswich, because he offers something different to the 4 previously mentioned & has a natural inclination for bringing the ball forward in dangerous areas &, again, knows how to finish. Then we have 'one of our own' in Cameron Humphreys, a talented young player who will have benefitted greatly from the games he played this season. Another more forward thinking/less defensive minded player, who has bags of potential. That's 6 first team central midfielders, fighting for 2 starting positions & 1 on the bench. McKenna knows how his team is going to play & it is suited to Championship football, so 3 senior players will be out of the squad every game, and probably the same 3 if we are take the last few months as an indication. Then there is Jack Taylor from Peterborough, who the manager clearly wanted & was prepared to pay £2m+ for, meaning he sees him as a player for us in the Championship. Luongo wasn't signed until after we were knocked back on that one, despite being in the building. It has obviously worked out very well, but football is a ruthless business & the manager has to think about the quality/skills he'll need at a higher level next season & the age profile of his team - Taylor is a better fit for that strategy. The question is, if Taylor is offered to us during the summer, would McKenna turn him down now in preference for Luongo, who at nearly 31 is outside the profile of who we have been singing permanently. Finally, we have been signing players above the level of the league we are in. All the above are Championship players, but now if we go up, so too will our capability of attracting higher level players. Our owners are very ambitious & will be looking to push on into the promotion race immediately, and so will be targeting players of that level. With respect to Luongo, & even Morsy, they have proven to be decent Championship level players, but maybe Ashton & McKenna might be looking for someone who has gone up or even played in the Premier League before now? I think we could see 2 of the above 'let go' & Humphreys loaned out to a top League 1 side for the season & somebody new brought in, to lift us up again.

2

ArnieM added 09:41 - Apr 29 There will be difficult decisions to make this summer if we go up, for sure, and not just in midfield . As you say we have very ambitious owners and back to back promotions is likely in my view. But the squad will be adjusted accordingly, and our defence needs attention for that higher level, and also attack (less so). It's a gradual development. The scary thing is the players will already have been identified, and who knows, maybe even some early dialogue has already happened. It's all down to where we are at end of this season. COYBS

0

Westy added 09:42 - Apr 29 I'd love him to stay. Definately adds something and a different type of player to Sam Morsey. Very good at winning possession, anticipating the loose ball and strong running down the middle. Scored one goal but I'm sure plenty more to come. I can't imagine that the Club won't reciprocate and try to sign him on a longer deal. Hurst and Broadhead have been great but Mas has been in my opinion the most influential player - determined and mature. I think he would make a good captain.

1

Linkboy13 added 10:18 - Apr 29 We won't be looking at Taylor when we get promoted to the championship. Gamechanger are very ambitious and will want to get out of the championship sooner rather than later. I expect three or four players of proven championship quality. We are already looking at Adam Armstrong who scored loads of goals for Blackburn in the championship although this would probably mean one of either Hirst or Ladapo not being at the club next season which would be very disappointing.

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Orraman added 10:25 - Apr 29 We all want you to stay, Massimo. Your midfield partnership with Samy is exceptional and can only continue to improve. I'm also hoping that Leicester remain in Premier League as they would be less likely to recall George Hirst. They would most certainly want him to help them return to Prem so diminishing our chances of negotiating a permanent transfer
2

Ipswichbusiness added 11:51 - Apr 29 I agree with Len Brennan that we have a plethora of options in central midfield … and that's before any summer signings. Even if Humphreys goes out on loan that still leaves a question over whether we need him. I agree with Linkboy13 that Taylor is not really what we want as he is a League One player when we should be looking at Championship quality at least. The problem with Adam Armstrong is that he was sold to Southampton for a fee reported to be £15 million who will want their money back and I can't see us paying fees at that level. The Club wanted Hirst in the summer and he only has a year of his contract left to run so I suspect that we will try to sign him either on a season long loan or permanently.

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bobble added 12:15 - Apr 29 hopefully he will be back in australia colours soon....
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Rozeeboy74 added 12:41 - Apr 29 Sounds like a modern day Magilton and Holland.
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BobbyBell added 12:49 - Apr 29 Luongo is class as a player and as a person and I'd love him to stay. I have always believed that a team that wins promotion should be given a chance at the next level. Many clubs have bought new players and disrupted the team which has resulted in failure. I do however believe that KM will be looking for some proven Premier league players once we are in the Championship. The way Ipswich work now there will be a list of names of players who fit our demanding requirements and we may have to sell some popular players to make it work. I remember Bobby Robson selling David Johnson and later Brian Talbot much to our amazement but in came Mariner and a Dutch duo to take us to another level. We must trust our manager.

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