Town boss Paul Lambert says he’s in no immediate hurry to speak to Will Keane and Alan Judge regarding their futures with his thoughts currently dominated by the Blues’ upcoming games. The Blues manager admits that he is formulating two plans at present, one based on Town being in the Championship next season and one on the team being in League One.

Keane, 26, is on loan from Hull City until the end of the season with his Tigers contract up in the summer, although it includies an option for a further year they are unlikely to take, and the former Manchester United youngster has said joining the Blues on a permanent basis "definitely appeals" even if it meant playing League One football.

Judge, 30, is on a short-term deal to the summer which includes an option for a further season which he has said is “more in the club's favour”.

Asked when he’ll speak to the duo about their futures beyond this season, Lambert said: “Do you know, that’s probably the furthest thing from my mind at the minute because of the games.

“Those two have been brilliant. I think the front three, Collin Quaner, Keane and Judge, are playing ever so well for us at the minute.

“They’re getting game-time, their game-time is getting built up which is great and I think the lads that you just mentioned, I think they’re enjoying their football at the minute, so I don’t want to annoy them.

“See what happens, let them enjoy their football and see if they can keep on helping us the way they’re doing.”

Is he concerned that their performances might alert other clubs? “That’s football, that’s the way the wheel turns and you have to accept that. They come here and they do great, you know the consequences.

“I’d rather they did great and lose them than them do poorly and things go against them. I think they’ve done great for us.”

He admits longer term he is formulating two plans, one for the Championship, one for League One.

“Yes, I don’t think you can have an eye on only one,” he said. “The realism is that we have to look at both scenarios of what could happen.

“But we’ll still be having this fight, there are still 13 games to go and a helluva lot of points to play for.

“We’ve got two big games coming up and if we keep playing the way we have and if we get a bit of a break at certain times and we keep performing, then hopefully we can win.”

Photo: TWTD

blueboy1981 added 18:34 - Feb 21 Keane and Judge both look short, and longer term good signings to me, and just the kind of experience we need going forward, whatever level we find ourselves playing at next season. Get in there Lambert, and do the necessary with both these players - whilst getting shot of the sick note brigade. Or do we wait, yet again, for another Club to snap them both up ? - something we've been notorious for far too often in the past.

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Ipswichbusiness added 18:52 - Feb 21 Be under no illusion; senior management recognises that the most likely result is that we are relegated. That means cutting costs, particularly the wage bill.
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jas0999 added 18:53 - Feb 21 Judge is an excellent player who would be a very good signing. I'm less convinced about Keane.
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floridaboy added 18:59 - Feb 21 With his current form Judge will be hunted by championship clubs for next season - just hope that we are in that division to tempt him to stay!
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Pecker added 19:01 - Feb 21 Judge would be great. Keane only if we can't find better.
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runningout added 19:04 - Feb 21 we never learn
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Cakeman added 19:22 - Feb 21 I think it's right that all thoughts of tying players down now are on the back burner. When (if) relegation is confirmed then I am sure our owner will roll out the budget for 2019/20 including on and off the pitch expenditure. Would like to see Judge and Keane stay however their wages may then block moves for other players if we are indeed to play in league one.
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markytitfc added 19:25 - Feb 21 Is paul lambert the town boss?
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itfchorry added 19:51 - Feb 21 Mr Evans - show some intent and sign Alan Judge- Not intersted in a free pint and pie - We have let to many good players leave this Club already.
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Wickets added 20:43 - Feb 21 Judge is the sort of player we will need here next season, come what may but why should we need to hurry to sign him for next season when we already have that option in place.
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ITFCsince73 added 21:09 - Feb 21 Signing Judge on a new long term is a no brainer imo. We started this season as the least experienced squad. Can see starting next season as the youngest squad. Major clear out of all the dead wood, hopefully coming sooner rather than later.
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heathen66 added 22:05 - Feb 21 I think you should be Paul Whatever League we are in next season both of these would be great assets. Save the wages by not offering Chambers, Skuse, Knudsen and Spence contracts. Ship out Huws and Adeyimi and get in these two, plus make Chalobah an offer he cannot refuse.
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OwainG1992 added 22:58 - Feb 21 If we do have an option on Judge then please just get that deal arranged and if needs be make him our best paid player next season. He is worth every penny. I wouldn't cry if we dont sign Keane but if hes better than any other striker we have currently.
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ArnieM added 02:42 - Feb 22 If we are relegated, Town won't be able to afford the likes of Judge, no , I suspect, would he want to stay playing his last throws of football in the 3rd tier. We have to be realistic here.
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ITFCsince73 added 20:59 - Feb 22 Owen92. Totally agree. Make Judge the long term offer he can't refuse. Make the firery Irishman the captaincy offer on top also. Fit or not fit, a great player when on the pitch, a great player when not on the pitch. Nothing ultra special, but knows how the game should be played, has a great football Brain, and is experienced. And with hopefully many youngsters making the step up to the 1st team. Judge is just the perfect example for them all to look upto, and learn from.

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