Jonas Knudsen has a double target this season — success with Town and a place in the Danish national team.
The left-back has been capped twice at full level but he believes he is not only close to a third appearance but also senses an opportunity to become a regular choice for boss Aage Hareide, the Norwegian who used to play in England with Manchester City and Norwich in the 80s.
Knudsen said: "I don’t think I am too far away from a call-up. I have spoken to the international manager and I should have been with them when they were in Japan in June.
"But I had missed games for Ipswich with an injury so we decided it would be better for me to make sure I was fit and ready for the new season.
"We are starting the World Cup qualification games soon and he wanted me to be ready for that.
"I think I am not far away from playing for Denmark but first of all I have to do my job here in England. It is important that I play well for Ipswich because that is what will decide if I am going to play for my country.
"I have had some good talks with the manager and the last time I was with the national squad I think I did well and showed what I could do. It is up to the manager now because I am ready to play when he wants me.”
Knudsen is always looking to up his performance level and added: "I want to improve the offensive part of my game. As I have said before I am a full-back and as a full-back you have to defend first and then move on to the offensive part of the position.
"The more I can attack, the better, and that’s where I want to improve. I want to come over the half-way line as much as possible to deliver the ball to my team-mates and hopefully you will see more of that from me this season. I also want to be a strong full-back as well.”
Meanwhile, Knudsen permitted himself a look ahead to Sunday’s eagerly awaited East Anglian derby when relegated Norwich travel to Portman Road for a game that kicks off at midday and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
He said: "I am looking forward to it very much because I know the derby games in England are very special.
"We play derbies in Denmark too but not on the same scale. FC Copenhagen against Brondby is the biggest one over there — a full house every time — but the others are very small and nothing to compare with the big games in England.
"It is worth three points, the same as every other game, but it means so much more than that. We know we have to go out and beat Norwich — it is a game we have to win for the fans.
"Norwich have a good team because they were in the Premier League last season but we will have the crowd with us and we must show we are better than them. I’m sure we have a good chance.
"The other players have told me it is a big day and a big game. We don’t want to lose to Norwich and we have to be ready.
"I’m really looking forward to it. Before I left Denmark I saw some of the English derby games on television so I know a little bit about what it means. I will see on Sunday how big it is.”