Jewell hopes for Delaney stay

Delaney: Decision to make

Ipswich Town boss Paul Jewell has assured defender Damien Delaney that he has a future at Portman Road.

The 29-year-old attracted attention during the January transfer window due to his contract running out in the summer.

The Tractor Boys boss was keen to sit down with the former Leicester and Hull player and assure him he has a role to play in the future of the club.

Jewell admitted that it took some "straight talking" to ensure he got his point across to the defender.

"I had a conversation with Damien last week," Jewell told Green'Un24.

"He could have gone to another club on a three-year contract. I was straight with him and told him that I didn't want him to go, and that it was up to him to impress me to stay here.

"As far as I am aware - and I looked him in the eye - he doesn't want to leave here.

"But somewhere along the line, I am going to have to address this situation of having so many contracts up. It's not ideal."

Transfer target

One Championship manager who expressed his interest in the Irishman during January was Crystal Palace boss Dougie Freedman.

"We went for the two lads from Ipswich - Delaney and Norris - on the final day but were told that was a no-go. Fair enough," Freedman told Croydon Today.

"We'll now move on to the loan market and I've already identified the players I want to bring in during that time."