Fabian Wilnis, Jason de Vos and Matt Richards are set to extend their stays at Portman Road. The two veteran defenders are reported to be on the verge of being offered new deals, while boss Joe Royle has confirmed that England U21 international Richards is already in talks.

Wilnis, now 35, will be offered another year and De Vos another two seasons at Portman Road.

Richards was only recently 21 and has already made 117 full appearances since making his debut as a 17-year-old in the UEFA Cup tie away against Luxembourg side Avenir Beggen in 2002.

This season the former academy player has played more regularly in midfield and Royle says his performances very much deserve an extended stay at the club: ""Talks are taking place with Matt and his agent about extending his contract. We are delighted with his progress this season.

"We know Matt is happy here and he has made a telling contribution as a midfielder. In his last two games he has set up Danny Haynes for his goal against Leeds and it was from his cross that we scored the winner at Norwich on Sunday.

"When you add key moments like that to the industrious side of his game you have a top player - and one we want to keep at this club."

Town are keen to sign other young players like Owen Garvan and Scott Barron on longer deals, while Shane Supple, Danny Haynes, Dean Bowditch and Lewis Price have already signed extended contracts.

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