Town boss Joe Royle has revealed that the club will offer new deals to youngsters Darren Bent and Matt Richards in the next few weeks. The pair are currently contracted up to June 2006.

Royle says the Blues will be looking to make moves to secure their services for a longer period very soon: "We will be talking to both of them shortly.

"There is no rush with the older players but it is different with the younger lads."

It is likely that Premiership clubs will try to sign Bent during the transfer window, however, both the club and the player have stated on numerous occasions that any offers will be turned down.

Whether Bent signs a new deal might be another matter, the striker telling TWTD in the latest issue of the fanzine that if promotion isn't achieved then he would consider a move: "If Ipswich don't go up this season, which I'm hoping, touch wood, they will, then everyone has to move on at some stage, so maybe it would be time for me to move on."

While Bent has been the player most linked with Premiership clubs during the season, the Blues could have to fend off bids for other members of their squad during January.

Royle says the club have had no enquiries regarding central defender Jason De Vos, while there is a report claiming Sunderland interest in Tommy Miller.

Read the full Darren Bent interview in the fanzine, available from our sellers outside the ground at the West Ham match or online here.

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