”LET’S get it out of the way,” is the message today from Ipswich Town manager Paul Jewell about tomorrow’s final Championship fixture of the season at the Walkers Stadium, Leicester City (kick-off 12.45pm).

Since his players gained enough points to confirm their current status, Jewell has been concentrating on next season.

He makes no bones about it and said: “Tomorrow’s game is one that we want to get out of the way really.

“And then look forward to next season.

“Obviously we want a good result and a good performance with many of our fans making the journey.

“But everything we do now is looking towards next season.”

Jewell says that he might have a new signing to reveal next week and it is believed that with the help of club owner Marcus Evans deals to bring in at least two of the six new players the manager wants installed by the start of next season are well advanced.

Jewell’s main objective is to have a squad of 22 senior players and one that will improve the goal output of recent seasons with Town starting tomorrow’s game in 12th place.

He went on: “There is a lot of good players here, but it’s obvious that we need goals in the team.

“We need to be a goal-threat to stop putting the pressure on our back four. At the same time we have to defend better as a team.

“This team has finished in just about the right position.

“After 46 games you finish where you deserve to be, and it’s clear that the team needs help.

“When a manager comes in midway through a season he’s got to play the hand dealt to him as he sees fit.

“We have a lot of good players here, but confidence was lacking, and consistency is a big thing.

“I’m looking forward to putting out a team that can be competitive in the Championship.

“It’s not just a game of 11, it’s all about a group of 21 or 22 players who can come in and do a job.”

Jewell has no grouse about the efforts of his current squad even though there is believed to be a number – including those with contracts that go beyond the summer – he would not be too disappointed to transfer out of Portman Road in the close season.

“Two poor Easter results have clouded the end of the season a bit,” added Jewell.

“But when you look back and reflect, you see the players have done really well to be comfortable and boring mid-table.

“At one stage it looked as though we might be embroiled in a relegation battle, but the lads have pulled us out of that. This season was always about making sure we stayed in this division.”