Keeper Dean Gerken says he’s never known a season in which he has suffered so many niggly injuries. The 29-year-old, who signed a new contract in January, started the campaign as Town’s first-choice before picking up the first in a series of minor knocks and niggles.

“I have never had a season like this and it has been tough,” he admitted in an interview for Saturday’s match programme. “It’s been experiences that I have not had to deal with before.

“It’s one thing to get your head around another keeper getting picked to play in front of you but it’s a whole new ball game losing your place through injury.

“It first happened when we played at Blackpool when I pulled up in the warm-up with a groin injury. Then I got injured again when I was going to play against Southampton in a big FA Cup game which was live on TV.

“That happened a day before the game when I was taking part in a shooting session which I probably should have avoided and then having got my place back [against Brentford in March] I got knocked out inside four minutes against Middlesbrough.

“So it’s been hard. They have been niggly injuries really more than anything else, keeping me out for a few weeks but it’s been the timing of them that has killed me.

“The physio staff are great, they give you ‘head space’, which you need when you are injured.

“I’ve also got three kids now and that helps me deal with the frustrations because when I get home, I haven’t got time to feel frustrated. It’s busy and they take my mind of things.”

The former Bristol City and Colchester man was in U21s action earlier in the week, saving a first-half penalty in the 5-1 victory over Charlton at Portman Road.

Photo: Action Images

LiamCP123 added 12:40 - Apr 9 Still my first choice keeper in my opinion.
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big_gaz67 added 13:01 - Apr 9 Phil TWTD, your editorial should read "started the campaign as Town's first-choice before before dropped and then picking up the first in a series of minor knocks and niggles" If it wasn't for Dean's inability to catch a simple cross and take command of his area we would be cemented in a play off place - in fact he has cost us 10 points (Norwich(H), Notts Forest(A), Blackburn(H), Huddersfield(H) which would put us top!

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PJH added 13:12 - Apr 9 big_gaz67-editorial is correct. Gerken was 1st choice keeper until injured in warm up at Blackpool allowing Bart to make a shaky looking first league start. He regained starting place when Bart was dropped after a number of unimprssive games only to be injured at Middlesbrough. Bart has however looked better since coming back in with probably his best display for us against Bournemouth.

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MattRichards4England added 13:12 - Apr 9 Haha Gerken better than Białkowski!? April fools has been and gone Liam. Bart was unreal against Bournemouth. Gerken is average at best for this level of football and has cost us points in the past. Decent back up but never a starter for me.
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Jimmy86 added 13:13 - Apr 9 For me Bart is the better keeper out of the 2 of them and even during his dip of form he was still better at commanding his area, which is where Dean falls up on
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Cloddyseedbed added 13:19 - Apr 9 Can't honestly say either keeper we have is outstanding. Gerken is not the only player troubled by injuries in the squad this year. Is it something to do with our style of play or our training I wonder as this season does seem worse than normal on players out through injury. Or is it just plain bad luck?
3

Gingerblues added 13:31 - Apr 9 Neither keeper are good enough in my view but gerken is the much poorer of the two. He is a decent shot stopper but can't command his area for toffee. He cost us a number of games, most notably at forest. His distribution is also pretty poor. For next season I would move him on and look for a solid No.1.
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big_gaz67 added 13:34 - Apr 9 I apologise Phil - I thought he was dropped (he should have been!). Whilst I am totally against us employing Paddy Kenny with his drug history whilst he is at the club the other two keepers shouldn't get a look in.
0

bluefeast added 13:46 - Apr 9 Dream of 6th , pray for 6th ,hope for 6th , then think nothing more than the release of next seasons premiership fixtures. I find it amazing ,Man u at home game number 1.COYB
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Michael11 added 15:03 - Apr 9 He's ok as back up but he's certainly not good enough to be 1st choice keeper. I've never seen him play 90 minutes where he hasn't given me a mini heart attack or cost us a goal! Far too dodgy and unreliable for me.
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GREYBLUE added 15:40 - Apr 9 Both goalkeepers average to say the least.
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battyblue added 16:04 - Apr 9 Gerks would never have been knocked out if he had come for the cross earlier .
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AYACCA added 16:19 - Apr 9 I like Gerken but he does occasionally get in a pickle.
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blue added 16:38 - Apr 9 We still make play-offs BART in goal wembley showdown get in the queue for your tickets . We play better against the odds , watch this space !!!!
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Geoff added 17:16 - Apr 9 Bring in Henderson next season.
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jas0999 added 18:12 - Apr 9 Not good enough I'm afraid. He has little command of his area and doesn't leave his line with any confidence. Good shot stopper. Sadly, I don't think either keeper is good enough, but Bart the better of the two. Gerken seems like a nice chap though.
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No32 added 19:41 - Apr 9 Strikes me as total fanny to be honest. Come off through 'injury' a couple of times since being here - after conceding. Boro - I question if he was actually knocked out, or fell over with embarrassment having conceded a goal he should have claimed. Both can make way for a proper Number one if we EVER want to get out of this league.
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