PAUL Jewell has had some “straight talking” with Damien Delaney, as regards the Ipswich Town defender’s long-term future at Portman Road.

PAUL Jewell has had some “straight talking” with Damien Delaney, as regards the Ipswich Town defender’s long-term future at Portman Road.

Jewell has made sure that Delaney knows, in no uncertain terms, that he wants the Irishman to stay at Portman Road.

He did not want Delaney to leave Town during last month’s transfer window, and he is conscious of the big man’s contract running out this summer.

Jewell revealed: “I had a conversation with Damien last week.

“He could have gone to another club on a three-year contract. I was straight with him, and told him that I didn’t want him to go, and that it was up to him to impress me to stay here.

“As far as I am aware – and I looked him in the eye – he doesn’t want to leave here.

“But somewhere along the line, I am going to have to address this situation of having so many contracts up. It’s not ideal.”