THE snow may have delayed contract talks, but Ipswich Town manager Paul Jewell is still confident that Josh Carson will commit his future to the club.

The 18-year-old winger was offered a new three-year deal following an impressive performance in the Blues’ 2-2 home draw with Blackpool last month.

And despite having not even made the bench in the three games since then, Jewell still remains calm about negotiations.

“Because of the snow his agent hasn’t been able to get here,” said the Blues boss.

“I spoke to him on Monday and we’ll definitely meet up one day next week. It’s just a case of tying up a meeting really.

“There’s still a little bit of work to do but I don’t envisage there being a major problem.”

Carson is one of 11 Town players in the final few months of their contracts, with the threat of Bosman free transfer departures becoming greater by the day.

The EADT understands that Carlos Edwards is growing increasingly frustrated with the club’s indecision over his future, but Jewell insists none his players have voiced any discontent.

“I had a chat with Carlos last week and just said ‘keep playing well’ because that’s the best way to get a new contract. He is cool with that, you wouldn’t expect anything less because he’s so laid back.

“We’d like to keep him and I think he’d like to stay. We’ll just have to see where we get to with negotiations.”

With club captain Grant Leadbitter among those in the final few months of their deals, Jewell continued: “All contract negotiations are just on-going really. The players are not knocking on my door and sulking about it, they’re just getting on with things.

“It’s not an ideal situation, but it’s the way it is. The most important thing is not contracts, but making sure we get up the league and finish the season strong.”

Veteran midfielder Lee Bowyer signed a one-year contract last summer, with the club holding an ‘option’ of extending that deal by a year.

Quizzed about the nature of that option and whether it was automatic after a set number of starts, Jewell said: “I think so, but I’m not 100% sure about that.

“Unlike you (the media) I don’t read every detail of players’ contracts!”