DEAN Bowditch is on the point of being given a chance to resurrect his faltering career with Ipswich Town.Blues boss Jim Magilton is understood to be ready to offer the striker a new contract.

Elvin King

DEAN Bowditch is on the point of being given a chance to resurrect his faltering career with Ipswich Town.

Blues boss Jim Magilton is understood to be ready to offer the striker a new contract.

Bowditch, who will be 22 next month, comes to the end of his current contract at the end of June and it had been thought he would join team mate Sito Castro and be allowed to leave.

Bowditch failed to make one first team appearance last season, was bothered by a groin injury and went out on loan to Northampton and Brighton.

However, Bowditch hit form with seven goals in his final two reserve games, and upcoming talks with Magilton could result in a new deal being offered.

The player, who made a huge impact when making his debut as a raw teenager at Carrow Road against Norwich City and scored a hat-trick against Watford as a 17-year-old, could still have a future at Portman Road.

He looks like being given another chance to push the recognised strikers for a place in the Ipswich firing line as Magilton's men look to gain a promotion place to the Premier League.

“Dean has his suitors after what he has shown with us over the years,” said Magilton. “He has been at this club for 12 years and I am going to have a heart to heart with him. I will look into his eyes and see what is going on.

“I have held back offering him a new contract, but it would irk me if all the hard work over the years at this club came to nothing.”

Bowditch has shown that he has the ability to make the grade, but he appeared to find it difficult to sustain his early progress.

Previous manager Joe Royle gave Bowditch every chance before sending him on loan to Burnley and then Wycombe after the goals dried up and the Harlow-born player appeared to lose his confidence.

It has been tough on Bowditch since then with a succession of injuries not helping his cause. However, after being written off in some quarters, Magilton appears about to give the fleet-footed front man another chance.

Meanwhile, of the players made available for transfer by Magilton only Gary Roberts has been the subject of any sustained interest.

His former club Accrington are reported to have made an approach, but with two years left on his contract - and having tasted life at Championship level - Roberts will not be rushing to return to League Two.

Gavin Williams, Dan Harding, Billy Clarke and Matt Richards also have continuing contracts at Portman Road but have been made available to leave.

Little transfer action is expected - both on the arrivals and departures front - for the next couple of weeks or so as the majority of football people take their annual breaks.