Ipswich Town boss Paul Lambert suggests deal for Alan Judge is close to being done

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Ipswich Town’s Alan Judge joined the club on a short-term deal.

Ipswich Town manager Paul Lambert believes a two-year deal for Alan Judge isn’t too far away as the club plan ahead to a likely League One campaign next season, East Anglian Daily Times report.

“I don’t think they are too far away, I’m led to believe,” Lambert explained when asked about a new two-year deal for Alan Judge.

“(Owner) Marcus (Evans) and Judgey’s people are speaking and hopefully that gets done. I’m never sure until it’s actually done though.”

Judge joined Ipswich from fellow Championship side Brentford on a short-term deal until the end of the season.

The Republic of Ireland international hadn’t featured much for the Bees after sustaining a long-term injury following a broken leg, ironically happening at Portman Road two years ago.

It was a gamble worth taking for Ipswich as they looked certainties for relegation. While the Tractor Boys’ fate is all-but sealed, Judge’s performances have been impressive during his short time at the club.

The 30-year-old playmaker has started 12 games for Ipswich, averaging 2.8 shots and 2.8 chances created per game. In possession, he has maintained a 78.4% pass-accuracy rate.

His performances will have surely alerted other Championship clubs, so should Ipswich manage to retain him beyond this summer then it will be a huge lift for them ahead of next season.

Judge would without doubt be one of the best players in League One, and exactly the sort of game-changer needed to fire the Suffolk club back to the Championship at the first attempt.