Jonas Knudsen may have been at the World Cup but manager Paul Hurst has told the Danish international he has to show him he’s worth a place in his team when Blackburn Rovers visit on the opening day with Myles Kenlock having impressed at left-back in the former Esbjerg fB man’s absence. The 21-year-old was the scorer of the only goal in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Barnet.

Knudsen, who made one appearance for Denmark in Russia in the round-of-16 penalties defeat to Croatia, returns to the club today following his post-finals break.

Hurst says it will be good to have the 25-year-old back but says it’s by no means a fait accompli that Knudsen will go straight into his first XI.

“Yes, but obviously with Myles Kenlock there’s competition there,” he said. “He did very well to get his goal.

“A goal from a left-back’s nice, it’s not the be-all and end-all to his performance, of course, but Myles has done OK since I’ve been at the club and I think he’s kind of stepped up in terms of trying to come out, in terms of personality as well. Another young player.

“Jonas isn’t going to come back and just walk into the team. I said that when we agreed on the date for him to come back in and he’s got to really hit the ground running to really come into my thoughts for the Blackburn game.”

Having appeared on football’s biggest stage it would be little surprise if Knudsen had attracted some interest, particularly with only a year remaining on his contract, however, Hurst says he’s not aware of anyone making an approach..

“Not to my knowledge, at this present time there isn’t,” he added. “I find it a bit different because, not so much where I was last season, but before that I was used to players’ contracts just running out and then them having to wait to see the manager a couple of days later.

“I understand the higher you go that as soon as anyone’s getting close to their last year people are talking and you’re trying to set new deals up.

“But Jonas, yes he was on the world stage, but for me, and we’ve had this conversation so I’m not saying anything that’s going to be news to him, he hasn’t done anything for me yet.

“I’ve seen some games but I haven’t seen him close up so he has to earn my faith and check that everything about him is what I’m after before we think about a new deal. Realistically, if anything happens before that, then all parties will have to look at it.

“That’s my thoughts and feelings. He can’t sign anywhere else until January, if that were the case, and by that time I’m sure I will have looked at it and assessed the situation.”

Photos: Action Images/PagePix

cat added 09:01 - Jul 23 I'm simply loving Hurst's open, honest, & fresh approach, it's just what we need after the enduring the ‘Dino Bollox' for a few seasons and puts an end to fans speculating on what's happening. Whether you labelled them favourites, proper blokes or undroppables it all means the same. Hopefully squad selection will be based on merit from now, not if your face fits.
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midastouch added 09:06 - Jul 23 I like Jonas, he has really grown on me. Remember he had to come from a foreign country and settle into a strange environment and I thought he has done well for us overall. He's had a few shaky games but I think there's been more good (remember Norwich!) than bad. When he scored against Norwich you could see how pumped he was and he clearly cares for the club. He's also versatile as he seemed comfortable at centre back. All that said, if we were to get a really good offer for him, then it might be worth cashing in but I do think Jonas deserves a break. Oh and I like Kenlock too, again he's young and learning on the job, healthy competition for places is great. No favourites, just whoever is in the best form and fitness should get the nod.

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braveblue added 09:08 - Jul 23 Hurst getting slated for saying Knudsen cannot walk into the team!! This is exactly what was wrong under the last relic. Players will need to perform. No bad thing at all.
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essextractorboy93 added 09:20 - Jul 23 I love Knudsen's passion and desire to play for Ipswich, you can see how much it means to him when we win. Kenlock is improving all the time and its always good to see an academy product get to the first team. A lot depends on where Hurst sees Knudsen's best position is. Knudsen did get a lot of assists last season overlapping on the left hand side.
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happybeingblue added 09:21 - Jul 23 Jonas needs to distribute the ball better he often needlessly gives the ball away, if Hurst is adopting a new approach he won't want players lumping it forward basically giving it back to the opposition
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oldelsworthyfan added 09:29 - Jul 23 Re the Knudson v Kenlock debate, isn't it obvious there's a place for both of them? Let Knudson have a long run as one of our CBs where he will simply get better and better.
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TimmyH added 09:47 - Jul 23 Good on you Mr Hurst, he shouldn't be automatically on that starting sheet.
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BeattiesBackPocket added 10:10 - Jul 23 @BossMan who is this "Big lump" hes signing then? Wheres your proof thats how Hurst is going to play? The goal I saw at the weekend goes as far against that theory as possible? Facts please? Some people really are powderpuff alot of businesses these days have targets and you pit your wits against someone else in the same position to beat them its all part of a rivalry and to push you to exceed the other guy surely? What so because hes a footballer lets tip toe around him no thanks id much rather him encourage competition which is something we did not have under McCarthy as the side picked itself!!

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BlueMachines added 10:49 - Jul 23 Braveblue — Who is slating him?
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thechangingman added 11:17 - Jul 23 It's a tricky one to interpret PH's words without knowing the exact context in which they're given. On the one hand, he clearly wants to set out his stall and demonstrate that he's the boss and things need to be done his way. In a professional footballing environment I guess this is a very important foundation to lay. On the other hand, speaking out publically on every issue could potentially undermine those he's challenging. After the decade we've just come through, at the moment I am more than willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. IMHO he presents as a confident, purposeful manager with a clear sense of identity. That's a great starting-point. He's also coming in at what, for him, is a new, higher-tier of management so to some degree he'll have to feel his way forward blindly, which must make him feel very vunerable to criticism. To conclude, I am certainly not going to brainlessly support anything he does but neither am I going to be quick to criticise, especially when none of us knows the precise ins and outs of everything going on behind the scenes. The bottom line for me is that unlike the vast majority of the last few years I am actually looking forward with excitement and anticipation to the new season. That's a GREAT feeling and I want to enjoy it for as long as I can. COYB...

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ronnyd added 11:48 - Jul 23 PaulHurstITCCLegend. According to the report Jonas can,t sign for another club until the January window so Hurst will have plenty of time to assess him properly.
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Pilgrimblue added 11:53 - Jul 23 What is there not to like about PH comments. Overall last season thought Jonas was better at CB but now he's got the younger players being given green light to stake their claims. Also it depends how PH sets up his team so next few games will be interesting. Like some I thought Kenlock was inconsistent so if he's got stronger and quicker he may hold on to his position.

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grinch added 07:28 - Jul 24 looking at a lot of the comments why would Knudsen want to stay he was one of the most consistent players last season was the best defender and played in the world cup alas the only town player and the first for years just because he spoke up in the last era doesnt make him a bad player he should stay and play where hurst wants him to play all the perfect people on here give him a break ffs

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