Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna says Conor Chaplin and Massimo Luongo will both have big roles to play next season after they signed new deals.

Chaplin, last season’s leading scorer with a remarkable 29 goals, inked a new three-year deal on Monday.

That was followed yesterday by news that midfielder Luongo, a key part of the promotion push, had signed a one-year contract.

And McKenna said he was ‘delighted’ with both deals.

Of Chaplin, he enthused: “It’s good news for all concerned, really, because Conor has been a very important player for us since the day I walked in the door.

“From a cultural point of view, it was very clear to see he would be someone who fully understood the ideas we wanted to implement. He bought into them from the first day.

“He’s a fantastic member of the group, is popular and a great support to his teammates.

“He has qualities we really want to try and make the best of and he’s worked really hard to keep improving.

“He loves football, wants to learn every day and is a really important part of the group.

“We’re delighted he has signed a new deal and I know he is now looking forward to the next challenge of helping the club in the next division.

“Now he will want to go and show the qualities he showed last year in a higher division.”

Of Luongo, McKenna said:  “It’s a well-earned extension at the club for Massimo.

“He played such a massive role for us in the second half of last season, not just when he was in the team but during the initial period where he was building up his fitness.

“He showed his qualities as a player and as a person and added experience and composure to the whole group. He brought that to the training ground and to the pitch whenever he came.

“He is such an intelligent footballer who was able to adapt quickly to our style as a team and the role we wanted him to play.

“He grasped things so well and put his own slant on them as well, so we’re delighted to have him with us next season.

“He has Championship and international experience (with Australia) as well, so he’s a high quality and versatile player who we think will be an important member of the squad next season.”