EXCLUSIVECHRIS Makin and Lewis Price last night became the first Ipswich Town players to pledge their future to the club just hours after being offered new contracts.

EXCLUSIVE

CHRIS Makin and Lewis Price last night became the first Ipswich Town players to pledge their future to the club just hours after being offered new contracts.

Richard Naylor is also likely to accept the offer of a new one-year deal, while John McGreal, Fabian Wilnis and Jermaine Wright are taking their time in deciding.

Skipper Jim Magilton will see Blues boss Joe Royle today after returning from Belfast following a family bereavement, and will discuss the nuts and bolts of his new contract.

Chris Bart-Williams and Alun Armstrong were told that they will not be offered new deals and are on the look out for other clubs this summer.

Makin has accepted a two-month deal which will take him to the end of August and once he has proven he is completely recovered from an operation to repair a cartilage tear in the hip, he will be offered a contract until the end of the season.

Makin told the EADT: "I'm happy with that. Apart from the running I'm actually looking forward to pre season.

"I can't wait for that first game, I don't care who it is against I just can't wait."

Back-up keeper Price, who made his debut with a fine performance against Gillingham, is another who has no doubts.

He said: "I'm staying. I love it here and I'm learning so much. The idea is for me to possibly go out on loan next season to get more experience but I will remain an Ipswich player.

"Every keeper wants to be the No.1, but I'm happy to be patient, especially as Kelvin Davis is such a good keeper."

Town's longest-serving player is Naylor, who signed his first professional deal in August 1995 and made his Town debut in the 3-1 win at Sheffield United in September 1996.

He said: "I've said all along I would love to stay and I'm delighted to be offered a new deal. I have given it to my agent to deal with, but as far as I'm concerned I will be stopping."

Players' player-of-the-year Wright has been linked with Premiership Southampton, but neither the player or agent have been contacted by Saints.

All the players have four weeks to respond to the offers but Royle will be delighted to get early responses.

He said: "The sooner we know the better because if players don't want to stay we need to look for replacements."

Royle has already stepped up his hunt for a striker and a centre back and has made contact with his top two targets, which he is keeping under wraps so far.

He has ruled out Dion Dublin, Stern John and David Bentley.