Jonathan Douglas has extended his Ipswich Town deal by a further 12 months after exercising a clause in his existing contract

The 33-year-old midfielder, who joined the Blues on a free transfer after skippering Brentford to a fifth-place Championship finish last season, has made 30 league starts for Town.

News of his contract extension comes three days after he was very much the crowd scapegoat during Town’s goalless home draw with Charlton.

“I’m delighted to be staying and I still think I can play for another couple of years,” the former Blackburn, Leeds and Swindon player told the club website.

“I have reached the number of games that triggers a new contract for me, so as far as I’m concerned I will be here next season.

“I’m really enjoying it here and want to carry on playing as long as possible.

“We face Brentford this weekend and hopefully we can get a win and push for the play-offs, as it’s still a possibility.

“We have to have belief that we can make it. We have to keep going, keep working hard and see where it takes us.

“We have a really good squad here and with Didz (David McGoldrick) and Bish (Teddy Bishop) back, that has been made stronger.”

Ipswich have won just one of their last six games and drawn a blank in four of their last five outings to slip seven points adrift of the play-off places heading into their final six matches.

– See tomorrow’s EADT for Mick McCarthy’s thoughts on Jonathan Douglas.