Ipswich Town captain Luke Chambers hopes striker David McGoldrick has not played his last game for the club.

McGoldrick has been ruled out for the rest of the season after tearing a tendon in his groin during training in February, meaning his time at Portman Road could be up given his current contract expires this summer.

Unlike many of his team-mates, there is no clause in McGoldrick’s deal allowing the club to automatically extend his contract, with Chambers hopeful something can be done to ensure his close friend stays at Portman Road.

“We will have to play the rest of the season without Didz, who has torn a tendon in his groin,” Chambers said.

“When Didz is fit and on his game he is one of the best players in the Championship, no doubt about that, and we’re going to miss him like any team would.

“He’s been very unlucky with injuries over the last three years and they’ve obviously held him back. Injuries are part and parcel of the game and it just works out that some suffer with them more than others.

“He’s out of contract in the summer so it’s possible that he has played his last game for the club.

“I hope that’s not the case. He’s one of my best friends and I’d love to see him sort out a new deal with the club and be back playing football here next season.

“It will be hard to replace him, that’s for sure, so I hope we get him fit and back out there for Ipswich Town. We’ll see what happens.”

When manager Mick McCarthy was asked about McGoldrick’s future after news of his season-ending injury was confirmed, the Blues boss insisted no decision has been made.

“It’s a difficult one when you’re nearing the end of your contract and you’re injured,” McCarthy said.

“It’s open for both parties so it’s down to Didz and the club to have a chat and we’ll see what happens.

“He needs to get his injury sorted first and then him and his representatives will see what the situation is.”

Initially signed on loan in January 2013, McGoldrick made 14 appearances and scored four goals before his move from Nottingham Forest became permanent that summer.

He has since made 145 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring a further 41 goals, with his most prolific season coming in 2013/14 when he found the net 16 times.