DAMIEN Delaney today expressed his frustration at appearing to have no long term future at Portman Road.

Along with 21 other Ipswich Town players he faces the prospect of being out of work when his contract expires on June 30.

The 29-year-old is expected to be in the Town team for tomorrow’s Championship game against Sheffield United at Portman Road (kick-off 3pm) and he assured fans that he will be giving his all.

But he also revealed the frustrations that the likes of David Norris and Gareth McAuley are feeling.

“We’d love to stay here,” said Delaney.

“And it’s almost a case of us saying to the club ‘Please help us out’.

“Hearing nothing is so frustrating.

“I was told last month when an offer was turned down for me that I was definitely not for sale.

“But there was no mention of a new deal, and when my agent had a brief discussion with the chief executive it was quite negative really.

“Whatever the reasons I have been told nothing about a new contract and silence speaks volumes.

“It should never have got to this stage, but the key thing is that I genuinely want to stay. It’s not a case of me wanting to get away.”

Delaney revealed that he was happy to put his future on hold when he spoke to manager Paul Jewell.

“He said that he wanted me to stay, and that’s why I have stayed – from a football point of view,” added Delaney, who will not start enough games this season to bring in a contract clause that allows him another year.

“I did not want to be involved upstairs. If the manager wanted me I was staying – if he had hesitated it might have been different. It was all I wanted to hear.

“Playing for clubs like Ipswich does not come about very often – it’s a fabulous club and a wonderful place to live.

“The fans want to see the club successful again, and I’d love to be part of that.

“But with a free contract the ball is in my court and the longer it goes on the stronger will be the cards I am holding.

“But I hope there will be an Ipswich offer and this business has not diluted my desire to do my best for the club.”

Speaking of the Delaney situation, Town manager Paul Jewell said: “I told Damien there was an offer from another club. He looked me in the eye and proved to me that he wanted to stay.

“The contract situation is not ideal and sooner or later I’ve got to address the problem.”