TALKS are progressing favourably with two Ipswich Town players manager Roy Keane wants to build a promotion side around at Portman Road.
But where does this leave Damien Delaney, Carlos Edwards and others among the remaining 19 who are not contracted to the club beyond next summer?
The Blues boss has earmarked current skipper David Norris and former captain Gareth McAuley for early contract talks, and chief executive Simon Clegg is in the middle of negotiations.
Like Delaney and Edwards their contracts run out on June 30, and from the beginning of next month this allows them to begin dialogue with other clubs if a new deal has not been agreed.
“Talks are taking place with David Norris and Gareth McAuley,” confirmed Keane. “And hopefully we can reach agreement.”
Norris has already said he wants to stay and that talks are progressing well, while McAuley’s agent revealed today that negotiations are on-going and is hopeful it will get sorted.
“Gareth is settled at Ipswich, and we are in talks,” added the agent.
Edwards has heard nothing about a new deal, and like Delaney he’s be left wondering over the Christmas period what the future might bring.
The Trinidad and Tobago international has revealed that there has been no panic in the Blues camp despite a plunge down the Championship table.
Saturday’s snow-bound 3-0 victory over Leicester City at Portman Road ended a run of six straight league defeats and has brightened the mood before four crucial games over the festive season.
A couple of wins or so and Town will move up the table and away from the relegation zone.
“Yes, we were left to look over our shoulders and see what was going on near the foot of the table,” admitted speedy midfielder Edwards.
“But there was no panic.
“Morale did not drop and we all stuck together.
“I always look at things in a positive manner and hopefully the lads were taking a lead from me.
“Yes we were all disappointed and I had never been on a run like that before, but you cannot let it affect your daily lives.
“Because when you are happy at home football comes naturally.”
Andros Townsend has officially re-joined his parent club Tottenham after his intended season-long loan at Portman Road came to an end last Friday.
Nahki Wells, who is a team mate of Reggie Lambe in the Bermuda national side, has joined League One Carlisle United.
The 19-year-old has been linked with a move to Ipswich or Hull City, but will sign for Carlisle on January 1 for the rest of the season.