Ipswich Town left-back Jonas Knudsen admits he may have to consider his future if the club do not start contract talks before January.
The 25-year-old – who went to the World Cup with Denmark earlier this summer – has made 133 appearances for the Blues since joining in a £300k deal from hometown club Esbjerg in 2015.
He is now in the final year of his deal, with the club having taken up an extension clause last December, and could potentially walk away as a Bosman free agent come the end of the season.
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“I just focus on playing,” he said in an interview with the club programme. “I have played a lot of games here, have been professional and that is what I will continue to be.
“I get paid to play for the club and I’m under contract for another 11 months or whatever it is. I will continue to do what I have always done – my best for Ipswich Town.”
Knudsen became a father for the first time this summer, jetting home from the World Cup following the premature birth of his daughter before returning to Russia to start the last 16 defeat to Croatia.
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“I have a family to take care of and I do think about what the future might hold,” he said. “It is what it is though.
“The club have not spoken to me yet and all I can do is play as well as I can and then hopefully the owner (Marcus Evans) will be in contact. It’s his decision and we will see.
“In January I will only have half a year left and if it gets to then, I will have to look at things.
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“It’s down to the club and what they want to do. I’m open to talk. I can’t really say anymore about that because I don’t know what the club wants to do.”
A number of clubs, both in England and abroad, are understood to have shown interest in Knudsen this summer. He was linked strongly with Championship rivals Stoke, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough but stayed at Portman Road and has been one of just three players to start all six league games under new boss Paul Hurst so far.
Reflecting on the summer of speculation, he said: “I don’t get caught up in it. There were things talked about in the summer but that’s the way the game is. It’s nice in a way to get talked about because it means I must be playing okay.”
Speaking back in April, following the announcement that Mick McCarthy would be leaving the club, Knudsen said: “I will have to think about my future a bit more because he was a big part of things for me.
“I’m very happy to live here, me and my wife are very settled, but of course I also have to say that I have ambition. Maybe some of you don’t think that I can do more, but I think myself I can do more.”
When asked about Knudsen’s contract situation back in July, Hurst said: “He has to earn my faith and I have to check everything about him is what I’m after before we think about a new deal.
“He can’t sign anywhere else until January, by which time I’m sure I will have looked at it.”
IPSWICH TOWN CONTRACTS
IN LAST YEAR (WITHOUT EXTENSION OPTION)
Gerken, Wright, Knudsen, Bishop, McKendry
IN LAST YEAR (WITH EXTENSION OPTION)
Chambers, Sears, Ward, Adeyemi, Spence, Kenlock, Emmanuel, Woolfenden, Morris, C.Smith
CONTRACTED UNTIL 2020
Skuse, Edwards, Harrison, Roberts, Dozzell, Downes, Rowe
CONTRACTED UNTIL 2021
Bialkowski, Nsiala, Nolan, Jackson, Huws, Folami, Cotter, Nydam, Drinan
LOANS (until January)
Walters
LOANS FOR SEASON
Donacien (to become permanent), Pennington, Chalobah, Edun, Graham
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