Town boss Kieran McKenna says contract talks with the likes of Cameron Burgess and Axel Tuanzebe haven’t been affected by confirmation of the Blues’ relegation to the Championship with discussions already having been ongoing.

The pair’s current deals are up at the end of the campaign with Australia international Burgess having been linked with a free move to La Liga side Girona.

Asked if relegation having been confirmed has meant talks regarding new terms has been stepped up, McKenna said: “I think it’s ongoing anyway. Whether it was which division or not, those talks are ongoing, as they have been for a while, and we'll see what the resolution is.”

Burgess has been one of a number of players from the team which progressed from League One and the Championship, along with the likes of Luke Woolfenden, Jack Taylor and Conor Chaplin, who have featured in the Premier League for the first time this season without being regular starters, and McKenna was asked how valuable this season will be in terms of them being better equipped to deal with next season back at a lower level.

“I’d like to think it will have been very beneficial,” McKenna continued, “I'd like to think they've improved a lot over the last three years and developed a lot those who have been on the journey with us.

“I thought pretty much all of them now have had some really good exposure to the Premier League level and there are some good characters in there and some good learners, as we know, and that's what's helped them make the step so far.

“I know they’re really eager to use the lessons that they’ve picked up this year, the increased competition in the building in training day to day and the big jump in the competition that they're facing on matchdays, to make them all stronger individually and those who remain at the club to help us move forward as a club.

“So, I think their mindset is very much ingrained and part of and shared with that of the club, using the experiences this year to be stronger for it.”

ITFC/Matchday Images

flykickingbybgunn added 15:47 - May 9 I hope both Cam and Axel decide to stay. They are fine players.
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PhuketPete added 16:42 - May 9 If Cam feels he can be a la Liga starter at Girona I’d say he’ll opt to leave as surely he’ll want regular football at the higher level to maximise his World Cup chances with Oz. There again if someone came in and signed up Greaves, I’d say there is a better chance that Cam stays here. Lots of moving parts across the whole squad this summer
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Lukeybluey added 17:00 - May 9 I'd love cam to stay, clearly an organiser at the back, you can see him marshall everyone in place and is very vocal, can hear him from the stands! I actually quite liked Greaves at left back when he's came on in there, thought we looked way more solid.
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Ryorry added 05:28 - May 10 Really, really hope that both stay, love em both, our best defenders along with Woolfie.
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gosblue added 09:17 - May 10 Axel thinks at a different level. In the Prem it's almost instinctive. By the time you've thought about it it's often too late. That's what we were missing this season. Axel has that speed of thought and hopefully others have gained from the experience.
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Karlosfandangal added 13:59 - May 10 Like Cam he has been solid since he has been here…….but Town have leaked goals all season…..see Greave and O’Shea being towns regular centre backs…..do Town let him go and give Baggott ago. Think if Town do go back up at the first time of asking don’t think our Centre backs are up to it…… Town may need to buy experience Centre Backs or will Greaves and O’Shea improve enough to make the grade to keep Town up.

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