FABIAN Wilnis today revealed that he will be staying in Ipswich when his current contract expires in the summer.Whether the Dutch defender stays as a player with Ipswich Town, or a coach - or both - remains to be seen.

Elvin King

FABIAN Wilnis today revealed that he will be staying in Ipswich when his current contract expires in the summer.

Whether the Dutch defender stays as a player with Ipswich Town, or a coach - or both - remains to be seen.

He will have his ear to the radio tomorrow afternoon rooting for the Blues to beat Preston North End in the Coca Cola Championship at Deepdale (kick-off 3pm), to extend the season possibly into the play-offs.

The 37-year-old has made no decision yet on his future, but if this is to be his last playing season it would be fitting if he could make another Wembley appearance for his beloved Blues - and play for longer this time.

“In a sense it would be like completing a circle,” he said, having helped Ipswich beat Barnsley at Wembley in the First Division play-off final in May 2000.

Wilnis came on as an 89th minute substitute for Jermaine Wright when Ipswich won 4-2 with his fellow countryman Martijn Reuser scoring the fourth goal in stoppage time.

“I feel sharp and ready to come into the squad and the team if needed,” said Wilnis, who was presented with a special memento by Blues manager Jim Magilton to make his tenth season at Portman Road at the players' end of season dinner on Tuesday.

“If it is going to be my swansong then Wembley in the play-off final again would be the ideal place to finish.

“I have been living in Ipswich since 1999 and am definitely staying in the town, and hopefully with the football club.”

Wilnis, who has made 14 appearances this season, will sit down and discuss his future when Ipswich have kicked their last ball in earnest this campaign.

He is taking his level two and three coaching qualifications at the end of next month.

The former De Graafschap player has been using his wealth of experience helping to coach at academy and youth levels this term, and must be a candidate to be taken on to the coaching staff in 2008/09.

But he stressed that he has still not decided whether to hang up his boots with a player coach position a possibility.

“I shall be at Deepdale in spirit,” added Wilnis. “It is a game the lads have to win to keep alive our promotion hopes.”

And if they do it could lead to Wilnis possibly rounding off a brilliant Town career at Wembley. That would be fitting.