What next for Carlos Edwards? Mick McCarthy admits Ipswich Town captain’s future at the club is in the balance

Edwards was a virtual ever-present for the Blues during his first four seasons at the club, but the 35-year-old has been a bit-part player this term, making just nine league starts.

In a recent interview he said he felt very settled in Suffolk with his young family, would jump at the chance to extend his deal beyond this summer and insisted he still has plenty to offer as a player.

However, after being left out of the matchday squad completely for Saturday’s 1-0 home win over Birmingham, the Trinidadian wrote ‘What NEXT?’ on social networking website Twitter. After the game he added: “All that matters! #3points.”

McCarthy said: “I spoke to Carlos last Thursday and had a discussion with him as to where he sees himself. At 35, does he see himself as a first-teamer that is going to be fit week-in, week-out or does he see himself as a squad player and somebody that can help out by playing 20 games rather than 46?

“A lot will be determined by how he feels. Does he want to stay in the Championship or does he want to drop down and play every week? I don’t know yet and I don’t think he does because I had this conversation with him. That was a prelim to any discussion we will have further down the line.”

Asked how he viewed Edwards’ role going forwards, McCarthy said: “Well at 35 he’s not going to be getting any better, not that he’s tailing off and getting any worse I might add because he’s a very fit lad. At some stage though you start having to look to the future.

“If he’s the best and stays in the team then that’s the case. As I’ve said to him and everybody else, we’ve still got 13 games left to play. To start talking about what might be can be counter-productive.

“What you have to do to earn anything is get your nose to the grindstone and play well. That’s for everybody; whether that’s players on loan or those coming towards the end of contracts.”