Recalled Town keeper Bartosz Bialkowski is convinced he will not be ‘ring rusty’ when he makes a rare first team appearance against Portsmouth in Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie at Portman Road.

Bialkowski, who will replace current first choice Dean Gerken, said: “It has been a long time, three or four months, but I have been training well and I am ready for it.

“Fair play to Deano, he has been absolutely amazing so far this season and that makes it even harder for me.

“I have accepted the situation and I am doing whatever I can to get back into the team. Deano is in fantastic form and all I can do is support him, be there for him and make sure I am ready whenever my chance comes.

“Training is not the same as games — things like decision-making, you can only get that when you are playing — but I have been training hard to make sure I was ready when my chance came and I hope to show that on Saturday.”

Despite his frustration at being on the bench throughout the last four months, however, Bialkowski has no gripe with manager Mick McCarthy — nor has he even considered asking for transfer in order to make a fresh start elsewhere.

He added: “The manager has been very honest with me and that’s all I can ask of him. There is nothing worse than when a manager is telling you one thing and he is doing the very opposite. At least Mick McCarthy is honest and that’s good of him.

“There is only one place in the team for a goalkeeper and everyone knows that. I will just keep working hard in training and continue to support Dean. I do whatever I can, not only to improve myself but to make Dean a better keeper too.”

Asked if he had thought of moving on, he replied: “No, not at all. It has only been a few months that I haven’t been playing but I am loving life in Ipswich and I am really happy here.

“In football you never know what is round the corner. You just have to wait for your chance, be ready for it and if you do well you might stay in the team, simple as that.”

Photo: Action Images

Suffolk_n_Good added 06:56 - Jan 8 What a great & refreshing attitude, well done Bart 👏🏼
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mow_the_lawn added 07:16 - Jan 8 Like Jonny Parr, I wouldn't blame him at all for wanting to move on. It can't get much more frustrating that being on the bench watching a less abled player playing ahead of you in your position. Unfortunately for Bart, his best bet is to hope for a long term injury to Gerken because I fear even if Gerken was suspended for 3 games and Bart came in and produced 3 man of the match performances, he'd be back on the bench once Gerken was eligible to play again.

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NottsTractor added 08:57 - Jan 8 I think that this is a very professional, workman like attitude and reflects the honesty Bart, feels Mick has shown to him. It is a bit confusing though that some of the comments on the message board over recent months regarding the managers ''blind faith'' in certain players are made by posters who are also desperate to get Bart back in the team. Given Gerkens recent form I wonder where the statistical evidence in terms of league position etc is that supports this view. Or is it just 'blind faith' or scapegoating? Either way lucky none of us are the manager eh?

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blues1 added 09:08 - Jan 8 mow the lawn. you are totally wrong there. the fact that bart was in goal from start of season, and only lost his place when his dad passed away, not getting back in because gerken played well in his absence should tell you that, should gerken get injured or suspended and bart was to perform in his absence that McCarthy would stick with him. that's what he does. and while I would personally rather have seen bart come back into the team when he returned from Poland, the fact is that gerken has performed well, and improved on some aspects of his game too, so I have no problem with mm sticking by him. and so he should. nothing worse than your boss not showing faith in you, imo.

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Crawfordsboot added 09:33 - Jan 8 Good post blues1. I only wish all those who claim MM only plays his favourites were as rational. MM wants to win, that is his objective and football is a hard and unforgiving environment. He knows what he is doing and knows what is best for the team in terms of gathering points to be in or around the top places in the league so I ignore the idiotic comments about only playing favourites etc. That said would I like us to be playing open attractive football like Barca, of course I would. Unfortunately we do not have the players or the funds to do that. We are where we are and MM is more likely than most to get us back into the Prem and is certainly not going to get us relegated.

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blueblood66 added 09:35 - Jan 8 Top fella.
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Surco72 added 10:27 - Jan 8 blues1 ... I would not totally agree with you when Loach came in for an injury replacement he had a couple of excellent games especially against Blackpool and was dropped as soon as Gerken was fit again . Tabb had an excellent game home to Watford last season in centre mifd and was dropped when Skuse was fit again . Parr has repeatedly played well when called upon but seems to be always dropped . MM definitely has his eleven in his head and will try and stay to that whatever display the players make on a Saturday and by doing this players will eventually have a good game , great loyalty but can prove costly in games

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dawoolah added 13:41 - Jan 8 Best of luck for Saturday Bart. Hope you have a blinder. I'm sure you'll get a great welcome back from the fans.
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Bluetone added 17:44 - Jan 8 We all know if Bart plays a blinder saves a couple of penalties in each half plus a string of top class saves finds a town player with every clearance and then lobs their goal keeper for the only goal of the game the Gherkin will still be back for the next league game.
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