Town manager Paul Lambert expects the Blues to talk to right-back Josh Emmanuel regarding his contract situation with the 21-year-old’s current terms up at the end of the season.

Academy product Emmanuel has started two games for Lambert, having returned from a loan spell with Shrewsbury in January, and, like young left-back Myles Kenlock, has impressed his boss.

Town recently took up a one-year option on Kenlock’s contract and it seems likely the Blues will do the same with Emmanuel, whose deal includes the same provision.

“Those two have done great,” Lambert said. “Kenlock’s been brilliant for us. Josh has been great. In the two games the kid’s been in I think he’s done really, really well. I think the club will obviously talk to him, I’m pretty sure they will.”

Regarding Saturday’s own goal at Bolton, Lambert added: “He couldn’t do anything about that, but I thought he had a really good game. Again, the only problem we’ve got with Josh is playing Saturday and then in midweek because he’s not played many games so we have to watch the lad.

“The two games I’ve seen him in, he’s been excellent. The two full-backs are really young and it augurs well for the future, it really does.”

Having won their first game in 13 on Saturday, it might be expected that the squad’s mood would have perked up, but Lambert says it’s never been particularly downcast despite the difficult season.

“They’ve been great,” he continued. “Even in training, it’s never once felt flat or anything like that. Even when we were getting draws or losing games, we’ve always come in and they’ve always been upbeat, it’s never been down.

“I think that’s important and I think they should get a lot of credit for it, they’ve come in and picked up again and went again.”

Even so, he says there was a bit more of a bounce on the coach journey back on Saturday. “Winning does that, it’s a normal feeling. When you win everybody’s happy, when you lose nobody’s happy.

“But the lads have deserved it. For me it was well overdue because we’d been playing ever so well without getting the rewards.

"That was the frustrating thing because we’ve been playing really well without coming away with three points.”

Meanwhile, Lambert played down the likelihood of Kayden Jackson being used in a wide role in the front three more regularly, the former Accrington man having been brought on in that role as a sub late on at the University of Bolton Stadium on Saturday.

“I don’t know,” he reflected. “It’s difficult for a centre-forward to go out and play wide. It’s not an ideal scenario for them because it’s new to them because you’ve got to know what to do when you don’t have the ball, let alone with it.

“So, I think it would be unfair on Kayden. OK we did it to patch up on Saturday but it’s unfair putting that onus on him.”

Photo: TWTD

Toronto_Tractor added 17:02 - Apr 8 Be a shame to lose him, defenders often take longer to really kick on. He's not there yet.
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Ipswichbusiness added 17:34 - Apr 8 A season playing in our first team in League 1 under Paul Labert could be the making of him. I would thank Spence for his services and guide him gently towards the exit door.
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Suffolkboy added 17:38 - Apr 8 Whilst I understand PLs comments about playing KJ wide, I'm totally baffled that professional players apparently cannot be either expected or relied upon to confidently take on differing roles ,or apparently to comprehend the responsibilities that go with them . To me that says they are not worth their corn and shouldn't be in our squads : where's the footballing intelligence - or is it a lack of skill and ability ? Sadly we can't get to very many matches but Jackson and Harrison do not seem to fit the bill & though maybe another season might see them settle / or improve we shall have to rely on PLs professional judgement ! COYB

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Jonnosdreadlocks added 20:06 - Apr 8 extend josh's contract, top lad.
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harlingblue added 02:27 - Apr 9 Get him signed up now! Josh has more competitive game time than Kenlock, who is now finding his feet, have being given game time in a stronger division. He should fight for the right back slot with Donacien, never given a chance in that position by PL.
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TimmyH added 13:27 - Apr 9 He certainly hasn't had a crack of the whip regarding 1st team action since his loan to Shrewsbury and Rotherham...
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