IAN Westlake has been granted his wish and handed a contract keeping him at Ipswich Town until the summer of 2008, writes Derek Davis.The Blues midfielder revealed to the EADT at the beginning of November that he wanted to stay with Town for the rest of his life.

IAN Westlake has been granted his wish and handed a contract keeping him at Ipswich Town until the summer of 2008, writes Derek Davis.

The Blues midfielder revealed to the EADT at the beginning of November that he wanted to stay with Town for the rest of his life. The new deal is not that long, but the 21-year-old did not hesitate to sign the new three-and-a-half-year contract.

The Clacton-based player, who progressed through the Academy, burst on to the scene in October 2003, making his debut against Gillingham and has now made 72 appearances. A year later he netted the first of his 13 goals, also against Gillingham, and was voted the Supporters' Player of the Year in May 2004 after an impressive full season.

Westlake said last night: "I've been at this club since I was a kid and it's been great to progress on to the first team and now sign a new deal. Hopefully I will stay here as long as possible.

"It has been a brilliant couple of days with beating Wigan on Tuesday to go top of the table and then signing a new contract the next day. Christmas couldn't be any better than this."

The EADT also revealed earlier this month that Town intended to secure their players on new contracts as soon as possible, after Tommy Miller warned he would be willing to talk to clubs in January, as he is entitled to do under the Bosman Ruling, as he is out of contract next summer.

Blues chief executive Derek Bowden moved swiftly to assure fans that there would not be a repeat of last season when a number of players did not know what their future held until the close season, which led to a number of wanted players leaving.

Miller, Shefki Kuqi, Jim Magilton, Drissa Diallo and Fabian Wilnis are all likely to be offered new deals in January.

Pablo Counago and Chris Hogg are not expected to be offered new contracts and will be allowed to leave on free transfers next year or become free agents in June.