Balkestein Wants to Stay at Brentford - Ipswich Town News
Dutch defender Pim Balkestein says he’d love to extend his loan spell at Brentford into a second month. The former Heerenveen man’s initial spell at Griffin Park ended after Saturday’s 1-0 win at the MK Dons.
Balkestein said: "It's a really good club. The manager is great for me. We have played well the last four weeks, it would be great to be back."
Talks between Town and the Bees are ongoing with Roy Keane saying a fortnight ago that he would be happy for the centre-half to stay with Andy Scott’s club: "He seems to be enjoying it and he’s getting games under his belt. To me there’s only pluses for the player and the club from players going out on loan.
"He’s gone out there, he’s doing well. He’s missed out at our place, he’s behind Tommy Smith and Alex Bruce, if he’s fit next week, and with Damien and Gareth doing ever so well over the last few weeks, he’s down the pecking order in terms of our centre-halves.
"Pim needs to play games because for his age he’s not played many over the last few years.”
Balkestein has made six starts for the Bees, who currently sit 14th in League One.
Neither of Town's other loanees were in action this weekend due to their matches postponed. Colchester's home game with Carlisle was called off, so Kevin Lisbie, who Town will recall from his spell with the U's in January, had a weekend off, while Jack Ainsley was prevented from adding to his one appearance for Rushden and Diamonds as their match against Chester was also called off.
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