OWEN Garvan has revealed there are no sticking-points to him signing a new deal with Ipswich Town, which he hopes to pen by the end of the month.The 18-year-old Irishman, who has 18-months remaining on his existing contract, has no qualms about signing a new contract, understood to be a four-year deal for the Blues.

By Derek Davis

OWEN Garvan has revealed there are no sticking-points to him signing a new deal with Ipswich Town, which he hopes to pen by the end of the month.

The 18-year-old Irishman, who has 18-months remaining on his existing contract, has no qualms about signing a new contract, understood to be a four-year deal for the Blues.

With Town chairman David Sheepshanks away during this week, it is likely that Garvan's deal, along with new contracts for Scott Barron, Matt Richards, Fabian Wilnis and Jason De Vos, will be finalised next week.

Garvan said of his deal: “We have had some talks but the chairman has been away. so no doubt we will get sat down at a table in the next couple of weeks and sort something out.

“I'm fully committed to staying here. I'm playing regular first-team football and I want to do well for the club.”

Garvan has been in sparkling form since coming back from an ankle injury but, such is his desire to be an even better player, he will use this week to improve his game.

The midfielder is suspended for tomorrow night's game at Crewe, due to picking up five bookings, but should return for the visit to Wolves on Saturday.

He said: “I'm glad the team did well but I know that there are a couple of things I can do better and that is what I will be working on during the week.

“Hopefully, by the Wolves game, I will have put them right.

“I'm upset about missing the match at Crewe but, then again, I'm going to get yellow cards because I have to make challenges. It is unfortunate that was my fifth but we have a squad and that is what everyone is here for.”

Manager Joe Royle has picked Garvan out for praise in recent weeks but the young Irishman shrugs it off and is happy to be selected. He added: “It is very nice coming from the manager because it was frustrating to be out for six or seven week and I'm just glad to be back playing. Things are looking up for the club and we want to keep that going.”

Garvan has started in six of the seven-game unbeaten streak Town are on and he hopes they can continue the run without him at Gresty Road but warns the bottom side are awkward customers.

He said: “It is going to be a fair battle because they are fighting for their lives down at the bottom of the league.

“They are a good passing team and will make it tough for us.”

Town's win over Burnley was clinched by a Matt Richards penalty, won by Alan Lee, from a ball supplied by Garvan, who conceded the Blues were slow starters.

He said: “We were bit sluggish for the first 20 minutes, perhaps that was coming in off the back of the derby game, but towards the end of the first half we came back and we were unfortunate to give the goal away.

“Alan has made a huge difference to us. He holds the ball up well, takes defenders on and might have had a couple more goals.”