IPSWICH Town have today agreed new deals with promising young strikers Jordan Rhodes and Dean Bowditch.

Elvin King

IPSWICH Town have today agreed new deals with promising young strikers Jordan Rhodes and Dean Bowditch.

Rhodes, who is 18 but has already shown that he has what it takes to become a prolific scorer for the Blues, is to sign a new three-year deal next week.

And Bowditch, who did not play a first team game last season but is still held in high regard by manager Jim Magilton, is to complete the formalities on a new one-year deal when the Town squad return from five days at Loughborough University.

Bowditch, 22 with 81 first-team appearances behind him, has been sent out on loan to a number of lower league clubs. He now has his chance to show Magilton he is worth persevering with.

“Dean has been in the building since he was 14 and has proved that he can play at first team level,” said Magilton.

“We have sat down and had a chat, and he deserves a chance to show me he can still become a big player with Ipswich Town.”

Rhodes is recognised as having a big future in the game and has scored goals at whatever level he has played.

He is expected to be knocking regularly on the first-team door next season and the deal agreed today will tie him to Portman Road for the foreseeable future.

Rhodes, a former pupil of Kesgrave High School, saw his father Andy depart Portman Road in May after being the Blues goalkeeping coach for four years.

It was felt in some quarters that a father/son relationship at the same club might not work, and Andy has publicly wished his son all the best 'at a club I still love'.

“Jordan has stood up to every test he has been confronted by,” said Magilton. “He scored regularly in the reserves as well as the youth team and I was keen to get him signed for the club for a longer period.

“I expect him to be knocking on the first-team door and if he carries on the same progress - as I am sure he will - he will have a big future in the game.”

Defender Chris Casement, 20, has already agreed a new one-year deal and like Rhodes and Bowditch he will sign his new contract next week.