Jonas Knudsen is likely to be the odd man out in Town’s starting line-up at Norwich on Sunday — the only Town player to have already scored against the Canaries.

Tommy Smith did it in the play-off derby two seasons ago but is still in the early stages of his comeback from injury and looks certain to be among the substitutes at Carrow Road.

Knudsen’s goal just before half-time cancelled out Cameron Jerome’s opener for the Canaries when the teams drew 1-1 at Portman Road in August and the Danish defender is dreaming of doing it all over again this weekend.

He said: “It was a massive goal for me and the team. I didn’t really appreciate it at the time but I felt it afterwards because the Town fans reminded me every time I spoke to them.

“They were coming up to me in the street and the first thing they spoke about was the goal against Norwich.

“They thanked me for scoring that goal and it gave me a lift to know that. It has to go down as the most important one of my career.

“I learned how important the game is to the fans. It was a brilliant atmosphere and I hope it is going to be the same again at Norwich.

“It is nice that we are on a good run — four games unbeaten — because it has given us extra confidence.

“This game is probably the biggest of my time with Ipswich. My international debut for Denmark, when we beat Sweden 1-0, was obviously a big occasion and I also won the Danish Cup final with Esbjerg. But in this country it will be the biggest game so far.

“It is far bigger than the derby I played in for Esbjerg against SønderjyskE. In fact, you couldn’t even compare them.

“My family will be watching on television and I also have some friends who are coming over to see me and they will be in the crowd at Carrow Road.”

Knudsen has been a revelation since switching from left-back to a role on the left of a back three, the change of system also coinciding with an upturn in Town’s fortunes, and he believes the time is right to claim his second goal of the season and third since he joined the club 18 months ago.

He added: “I’ve been close to scoring again on a few occasions — the header against Reading for example — and it is probably a little bit tougher if I’m playing at the back.

“But I will go up for the corners so hopefully that will enable me to get a goal. It would be brilliant to score against Norwich again.

“It will be a different atmosphere to the game at Ipswich, of course, because the majority of the crowd will be supporting Norwich.

“But it can sometimes work to the away team’s advantage. When we won at Villa Park recently, for example, we could hear our fans more than the home crowd.”

Photo: TWTD

BlueMachines added 07:04 - Feb 25 Missed a great chance against Leeds by blazing over the bar from 4 yards. But hopefully he can do the business on Sunday.
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Sam added 09:36 - Feb 25 Well said BlueMachines. Knudsen was poor at first but he's now quite a good player
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Westy added 12:37 - Feb 25 It would be more than brilliant. It would be stupendous.
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Magic31 added 12:58 - Feb 25 BlueMachines, you mean that chance that he actually put on target but was deflected over by a defender?
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midastouch added 14:20 - Feb 25 He certainly seems to genuinely care and he still has time on his side. He's looked a bit rough and ready at times and I know opinion is divided. But the experience of this season could make him a much better player for the future. Without Mick in charge he would of probably found himself on the bench based on some of his poor performances when were struggling, however, maybe he might go on to cement himself as a first team regular starter on merit. I'm still on the fence (as sometimes he can look poor defensively) but another goal tomorrow would have most likely have me swearing everlasting allegiance to Special K!

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Seasider added 15:25 - Feb 25 Much better player after switching to centreback.Could be serious contender for this position when Smithy returns.Wouldn't want Jonas to oust Kenlock as wasn't so good there. Comes over as a nice lad;but not too confident;so good performances can enhance his self assurance. 2000 fans at Carrow Rd tomorrow,same number as Lincoln brought to PR;so lets hear some noise from the tractor boys on Sky tv tomorrow afternoon. Good luck to Jonas and the other guys,and hope by this time tomorrow we will be basking in the glory of a rare derby win?

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Jimmy86 added 23:20 - Feb 25 Seasider, thought Lincoln brought 5k to Portman Road and had the whole upper tier of cobbold?? Dirty Leeds brought 2k last week. Jonas actually started out really well at LB, when he first arrived, but had a culture shock and bit of a wobble after the Brighton defeat at home last season. Never totally picked up from that and looked a tad shaky. Good luck to him and the rest of the boys tommorow. Wear the shirt with pride and make the first tackle count. Just not like Dele Alli haha

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Sam added 10:35 - Feb 26 Well said Westy. If anyone scored I'd be delighted. As long as Norwich don't!!!! GOOD LUCK and BLUE ARMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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WeWereZombies added 21:13 - Mar 2 And score he did
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