EXCLUSIVE: Chris Makin has assured Ipswich Town fans that he is not about to walk away from the club.

EXCLUSIVE: Chris Makin has assured Ipswich Town fans that he is not about to walk away from the club, writes Derek Davis.

The popular defender will join up with the squad for pre-season training this morning and intends to hold contract talks with manager Joe Royle later in the day.

But Dutch winger Martijn Reuser won't report for pre-season training on Monday as he has been given permission to stay in Holland, where he is close to agreeing a deal with Willem II.

The Blues boss was stunned to learn on Saturday that Makin was not prepared to accept the offer of a two-month contract with the promise of an extension if he proved his fitness, although the defender had initially indicated he was prepared to sign.

The former Oldham, Marseilles and Sunderland defender, who has played all along the back line for Royle, is looking for something with a bit more security for him and his young family.

Makin last night exclusively revealed to the EADT: "It is normal contract negotiations – as simple as that. They have started at one end and I want a bit more – that is normal.

"I was resigned to the deal that was offered in May but I have had a think about it and I'm not particularly happy with it. I will have talks with Joe and we will go from there but it is no big deal.

"I have had no concrete offers from elsewhere or anything like that, I would just like something a bit more than has been put down just now. "

Makin, 31, missed all last season's action after the home game with West Ham on September 30 with a hip problem, which has since been corrected by surgery.

His contract runs out with Ipswich at midnight on Wednesday and he would then become a free agent. Wigan, who have been in protracted talks with Crewe defender David Wright, are believed to be monitoring Makin's progress.

The Latics and Crewe Alexandra have agreed a £500,000 fee for Wright but talks broke down when Wigan accused his agent of wanting too much commission for himself.

Royle will be keen to keep versatile and experienced defender Makin, who he brought through at Oldham and was missed last season.

Although Fabian Wilnis did a sterling job at right back and Matt Richards came through a sticky patch to excel, Makin would have proved invaluable and could even have stepped in at centre back.

With John McGreal already turning down Town's offer of a new one-year contract for the security of a three-year deal offered by Burnley, Chris Bart-Williams and Alun Armstrong released and Jermaine Wright expected to sign for a Premiership club within the next couple of weeks, Town's squad is looking thin.

Wilnis, skipper Jim Magilton and Richard Naylor are all expected to sign this week but may ask for a little more than Town were initially prepared to offer.

With Marcus Bent going for £450,000 the wages saved from him and Wright may leave the unsure thinking the club may be more generous.

But The Blues management are likely to dig their heels in, as they need to trim the wage bill to below £5m, especially as they have no parachute money from the Premiership this season.

Royle is still looking at ways of saving money rather than spending out and capturing Canada skipper Jason De Vos means there may not be much more recruitment of new players, with a heavier reliance on the Academy for reinforcements.

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk