IPSWICH Town manager Paul Jewell expects to have to deal with tears in his office pretty soon.

He is currently working on his plans for next season and has virtually made his mind up on which players of the 21 out of contract in the summer to offer new deals to.

Gareth McAuley and Damien Delaney have been offered two year deals that could roll into a third year while Carlos Edwards automatically qualifies for an extra year after completing a set number of appearances at the recent Doncaster Rovers game.

Jewell spoke to Brian Murphy yesterday and is seeing Colin Healy this week before turning his attention to the younger players among the 21 that include Troy Brown, plus the seven who were given one year deals when they left the academy system last summer including Tom Eastman, Luke Hyam and Billy Clark.

“I’ve more or less made up my mind,” said Jewell. “It could well be tears in the office time.

“We all have children and have aspirations for them and when hearts get broken it is a tough time.

“My hope is that the ones released go on and prove you wrong. Sometimes the best thing for them is to get a kick up backside.

“It’s the hardest thing manager for a manager to do to tell players that will have to move on and I’m not looking forward to it although I know I have to do it soon.

“It’s only fair that the young ones know pretty soon so that we can help them fixed somewhere else.”

One young player definitely staying is 17-year-old Josh Carson, who made his debut in the 2-0 home win over Scunthorpe in Town’s last game and is set to continue in the side at Burnley on Saturday when Lee Martin starts a two-match suspension.

Kieron Dyer has a chance to be fit after intensive treatment with the fitness trainers and physios while Arran Lee-Barrett is expected to stay in goal.

WHICH young players would you like to see remain at Portman Road? Let us know – e-mail starsport@eveningstar.co.uk.