Town boss Paul Lambert will speak to his players, including those who are out of contract this summer, on Monday following Sunday’s final match of the season against Leeds at Portman Road.

“Everybody will know on Monday what’s happening,” Lambert said. “The lads will know, and everybody will know what’s going to happen.

“Everybody will know the plan going forward from the day they come back, what the pre-season is and what to abide by and what to expect.

“Everybody knows because I’ve done that everywhere I’ve been. We wish the lads a good holiday when they go and you thank them for their effort, so it’s nothing new.”

Among those out of contract and whose futures haven’t already been confirmed is goalkeeper Dean Gerken and currently injured midfielders Grant Ward and Tom Adeyemi, while defenders Jonas Knudsen and Jordan Spence both appear certain to depart. James Collins and Simon Dawkins, who signed short-term deals in January will also be out of contract.

Asked whether any of them have asked him about their situation, Lambert added: “Not really, one or two have asked what’s happening, but all I said is everything will become clear on Monday.”

Regarding Knudsen’s situation, he said: “Jonas wanted to go in January, and it put the club in a position as well, but I couldn’t do anything about it because the decision was already made a year earlier that he wanted to go.

“We couldn’t really run with someone that didn’t really want to be here. It was dangerous for the club.

“I think everyone’s assumption was that Jonas was going to go [in January], but a team never came in, so the circumstance hasn’t changed, and I’m pretty he’ll want to leave.”

He says he’ll meet face to face with each of the players: “It’ll be one on one. It’s not any different because I’ve done that at every club I’ve been at really, so it’s just to tell them what’s happening, thanks very much and have a good break and look after yourself and come back refreshed and get ready to go again, but it will be hard.”

Following Monday's meeting the players will exit for the summer until returning for pre-season in late June.

Lambert says he’ll also meet with the players out on loan with Janoi Donacien currently at Accrington, Luke Woolfenden at Swindon and Danny Rowe and Jordan Roberts both at Lincoln, while Aaron Drinan is with Waterford in Ireland where the season runs through the summer with his spell running until July.

“The lads will come back and they’ll be in the same boat as everybody else, I’ll tell them exactly what’s happening and that if you come back it’s going to be hard,” he said.

Regarding England U18 international right-back of midfielder Dylan Crowe, the only young player still to be secured on a contract having been linked with clubs at home and abroad, Lambert says talks continue.

“No, I don’t think so at the minute,” he said when asked if there was any progress. “I think [general manager of football operations] Lee [O’Neill] is dealing with that one at the minute. I’m pretty sure Lee will sort that one way or another.”

Photo: TWTD

ShropshireBluenago09 added 15:54 - May 3 Hope Lambert & O'Neil, has a big master plan. Big shake up required IMO. Would get rid of; Knudsen, Spence, Drinan, Gerken, Dawkins, Jordan Roberts, Harrison, Ward, Would keep Huws and Adeyemi though, both classy if and when fully fit.
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itsonlyme added 16:05 - May 3 One way or another big changes are needed both on and off the pitch. We must start next season by hitting the ground running. Nothing else us acceptable.
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tractorboybig added 16:08 - May 3 itsonlyme...pushed wrong button old chap.
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pennblue added 17:11 - May 3 Lankester and Judge can stay. All the rest can go.
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Saxonblue74 added 17:17 - May 3 Shame about the Knudsen situation really, I think he's the best RB we have at the club and would be an assett in lge1. Too late to recover the situation now. For me Spence is the only one I could put my house on leaving......if anyone comes in for him! The rest I have opinions on but trust PL in whatever he's planning to move us onward and upward, he's done it before and he'll do it again.

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Saxonblue74 added 17:20 - May 3 ......just to add I hope Huws and Adeyemi stay. Exciting players when fit and let's face it they're not going to be snapped up by anyone else! They would surely be on meagre wages so worth a punt?
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ChrisFelix added 17:43 - May 3 But saxon blue they are never fit. One of the reasons we have been relegated is these two sicknotes. Hewes who no doubt stay as his contact still has time to run, played a part game a few weeks ago & then nothing
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happybeingblue added 17:49 - May 3 well i just listened to the interview and am astonished that phil thinks anyone is going to come in for any of our players? who exactly would anyone want in the championship because i cannot think of 1?? they have all failed pretty miserably apart from the odd half here and there this season so ... also paul not being picky but its not marcus evans club really ,its our club YES us the fans who were here before him and will still be here in 10 years when he is counting his £ elsewhere :)

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Saxonblue74 added 17:56 - May 3 Chrisfelix, how can 2 players that haven't kicked a ball this season contribute to relegation?
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runningout added 18:00 - May 3 they didn't but we cannot keep sicknotes.
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runningout added 18:08 - May 3 65% of squad including manager must have a good chat with themselves before Monday and go if you have any doubt in your ability to read a football game... Your suppose to be professional!!!! Your only as good as our last game. That was a shoddy show versus a beatable Sheff Utd
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jas0999 added 18:15 - May 3 We need a clear out. Little point keeping any of those out of contract players. The likes of Gerken have been around for years. We need a new mindset, not players who are the past.
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Dissboyitfc added 18:56 - May 3 Saxonblue... how often have you watched Knudsen? he is a left back( not a RB) and not a very good one! He has put in a few good games in central defence IMO. Hope he has gone ASAP!
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Saxonblue74 added 19:25 - May 3 Yes Dissboy, my mistake. Under the circumstances I agree he's best gone asap. Just saying if things were different he'd be an asset in lge1.
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ITFCsince73 added 19:34 - May 3 Agree chrisfelix. 2 players taking near on 100k per month out of the club on wages for what exactly?? I know what....give them a contract extension. It seems to be how we roll....
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ITFCsince73 added 19:36 - May 3 As for Jonas, one of the 3 proper blokes, who wanted out the moment MM said he wanted out. Only trouble for him no club deemed him worthy of a transfer fee....and who could blame them.
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Counago93 added 15:21 - May 4 I would keep Adeyemi.. just take the 12 month option rather than a longer deal. No team is really going to want him at this stage. No top tier or Champ team, anyway. He's a good player when fully fit and he could be a good asset in League One. He just needs to stay fit!
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Ipswichbusiness added 18:11 - May 4 So much depends on what we don't and can't know, especially around player fitness. For example, if fit and on some sort of form then Ward, Huws and Adeyemi would all be automatic choices for the match day squad. All have been severely injured. I know it sounds callous, but their fitness has to be assessed and hard-nosed decisions taken. Bluntly, if they're not going to be fit there is no point in paying them.

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busterjames1 added 11:29 - May 5 Just buil a new team round Alan Judge and get shot of most of this seasons rubbish,
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