Blues boss Paul Lambert expects skipper Luke Chambers to be rewarded with a new Town deal and says the club should also be looking at new terms for midfielder Teddy Bishop.

Town have an option to extend Chambers's contract by a year in the summer, while the additional year on Bishop's last deal was activated ahead of this campaign.

Asked whether he wants Chambers’s contract situation sorted, Lambert said: “I think Luke’s situation, given how big a player he has been to the club past and present, I think that’s really important. I think people like that are worth their weight in gold.

“I think he’s 33, so for the football club he’s vital. For me, he’s been absolutely brilliant as a footballer and as a person.

“I can’t speak highly enough of him and I’m pretty sure the club will sort something out with him.

“We already spoke about it a few weeks ago. He knows my feelings on it and what I think. He’s been absolutely terrific for us and I can’t ask any more from him as a lad about the place and the way he is and conducts himself, he’s first class.

“I think he’s great for the football club. Even after football, I think he’s a great role model for kids.”

Is the matter in owner Marcus Evans’s hands? “Me and Marcus have had the discussion on it and I think Marcus knows my take on it as well. It’s not just for the football club, it’s everywhere else around the town, I think he’s important.”

Bishop has spent most of the last three seasons out injured but appears to be making significant progress this season.

The 22-year-old academy product has said he wants to win himself a new deal in the remaining months of the season.

“I think the thing for myself with Bishop was that two years not playing is a long time, it’s a helluva long time not playing,” Lambert said when asked about the Cambridge-based youngster’s contract situation.

“He’s a talent, as I’ve always said. Whether he could sustain it [fitness-wise was more of a question]. I think he’s doing really well now, I think he’s broken the back of it, I think he’s getting stronger.

“He’s doing really well in training, he looks sharper and fitter, stronger and he’s one player I think this club should look at and think, ‘OK, let’s see if we can do something with him’, because I think he’s a really good player.”

Photo: TWTD

jabberjackson added 15:27 - Jan 17 Sign them both up please Continuity is vital now
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hoppy added 15:30 - Jan 17 For a moment I thought I'd read Bishop had broken his back... I was thinking that was just typical...
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norfolkbluey added 15:41 - Jan 17 Lambert is very shrewd. We have let go of young players in the past like Jack Marriott and Jordan Rhodes and they all both banging in the goals. Chambers despite his short comings has been a credit to the club and until now has had not had a commanding figure beside him. He filled in at right back and didn't moan but got on with it. Teddy Bishop deserves to be given a chance. Injuries are part of being a football player's life but he has battled through. Loyalty should be reciprocated. ITFC is a standard bearer of this . All we now need is fifteen or more wins out of the rest of the season. Pleeeeeeese!

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flimflam added 15:43 - Jan 17 @norfolkbluey 10 wins would be enough probably less
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SheptonMalletBlue added 16:01 - Jan 17 Oh Dear oh dear, not another season of Captain Calamity!!!!!
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SheptonMalletBlue added 16:03 - Jan 17 I'm sure he's a very nice fella, but what do people see in him as a player?!!!
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senduntd added 16:06 - Jan 17 A leader you plonker
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SheptonMalletBlue added 16:10 - Jan 17 senduntd, he's a cr@p footballer, but I guess that doesn't matter as long as he's a leader!!
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senduntd added 16:13 - Jan 17 I think you confusing him with Spence
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warktheline added 16:23 - Jan 17 Unfortunately some are easily pleased in Suffolk, our current predicament suggests so! Chambers has and continues to be loyal to the club but without doubt he's an 'average' Championship player at best! Unfortunately the time spent playing out of position hasn't helped his long term career!
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whosroundisitanyway added 16:29 - Jan 17 Chambers is a bit of the glue that's just about held this club together. He'll run through brick walls for the blue shirt and is no way as bad a player as depicted by many on here. It's his kind we need now more than ever and I will guarantee you that if his contract is not extended there will be a que of championship sides for his signature.
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prebbs007 added 16:30 - Jan 17 Bish yes but Captain Calamity NO NO NO. Awful player and you don't keep someone coz they are good at fist pumps. Have lost count the number of points he individually has cost us this season. Boro at home nice pass. QPR away turned slower than an oil tanker when Wells scored. If we are in league 1 then possibly he can help with coaching but as a player he's been shown up again and again and is the main reason for our shocking defensive record. As for Teddy he can still make the grade. Has oodles of talent and now needs to prove what we saw in the play off season. Keep believing the escape can happen.

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BlueandTruesince82 added 16:41 - Jan 17 Chambo is solid, is he technical no but we all know he gives everything, hes had a lot on his shoulders esp this year but for a few seasons its a lot of responsibility. If Collins stays fit then I thin Chabmbo will look better and if we go down will be vita, maybe esp if we stay up I don't want to see him starting every week but I do still want him around the place. He puts everything on the line as we witnessed

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BlueandTruesince82 added 16:42 - Jan 17 On sat so I say new deal yes but as 1st choice not so much
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Saxonblue74 added 17:26 - Jan 17 Chambo deserves his place at this club. He's struggled lately but who wouldn't with the pressure on our back 4 and the lack of support and experience he's had to cope with? With Collins alongside him he'll be solid enough. Average championship player at best? Perhaps, but we are currently a below average championship club at best! He'll fight hard for us until our fate is established, blue blood in his veins. As for Bishop? A very gifted footballer who, with a sustained period of fitness, will be an asset to our club.

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TimmyH added 17:28 - Jan 17 I can see the potential for keeping Bishop as he's started very few games over the last couple of years or so due to injury and really needs some consistent games under his belt but Chambers I'm not so sure...he's made numerous mistakes over the last few months! if Collins stays here for next season he might assist Chambers and get his confidence back but that's an IF and personally would like so see a bit more ambition from the club than to see Chambers again in the centre next season even if he has been captain.

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cat added 17:53 - Jan 17 He's a good clubman but certainly aint no footballer. Puts the other defenders on the back foot with a lack of composure on the ball and poor distribution.
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blue86 added 20:55 - Jan 17 luke chambers is a leader and town through and through. i think he deserves the contract, and after he hangs up his boots i hope he stays invloved with the club in some kind if role. bishop again also deserves a contract, maybe a 2 year deal to see how he progresses with his injures, he needs to stay fit now and hopefully kick on.
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blueboy1981 added 22:58 - Jan 17 Cannot fault Chambo's dedication to the Club - however he really is an average Championship player at best. Can understand why consecutive Managers value him highly, because what he doesn't have in playing ability, he makes up for in other ways, which Managers will always notice and appreciate. A good ambassador of the Club for sure - but can frustrate us all with some of his basic errors..... !!

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blueboy1981 added 23:05 - Jan 17 ........ McCarthy did Chambers no favours by playing him out of position for so long - likewise it affected McGoldrick to the same degree - now playing to his strengths and rightful positioning. Who's now tearing the pitch up for Sheffield United ? - one David McGoldrick. 10 Goals so far this season. Would have been a real asset to Paul Lambert right now...... !! Surprised ? - not in the least - predicted it would happen.

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