Sunday’s derby clash with Norwich may be uppermost in Jonas Knudsen’s mind right now but the Town defender also has his sights set on breaking into the Danish squad in time for next summer’s World Cup finals being hosted by Russia.

Ideally, Knudsen wants to add to the two full caps he won while with hometown club Esbjerg FB in next month’s play-off double header against the Republic of Ireland, who will probably have club colleagues past and present, Daryl Murphy and David McGoldrick, in their ranks.

But if he is overlooked for those do-or-die clashes he will be keeping his fingers crossed that the Danes win through to the finals and that his form over the next few months sees him recalled to the national fold by Norwegian boss Ã…ge Hareide, the former Norwich City midfielder.

Knudsen, 25, said: “It is going to be two tough games for us. I have already spoken with Didzy [McGoldrick] about it and he thinks the same for his country.

“Ireland have a lot of good players and we are at home in the first game so we have to get a good result in that game because the Irish have a good record in Dublin.

“I’m a little bit disappointed that I am not in the squad but I just have to crack on and play well for Ipswich. I haven’t spoken to the Danish manager but my main job is over here and that is what matters most.

"If I had played badly and didn’t deserve to be called up I would accept it but I feel disappointed that I have not had a chance.

“Hopefully, I will get a chance in the future — maybe even for the two games against Ireland, you never know. The Irish play a style of football I am familiar with in England and the Danish manager might think he needs someone like me.

“We’ll see but I’m looking forward to it and even if I’m not involved as a member of the squad I will be excited when I watch on television because I know so many of the guys who will be playing.

“It will be difficult for Denmark but if we can hit our level in the home game, with the fans behind us, we have a chance. The fans are always great in Copenhagen — we beat Poland 4-0 there — so we definitely have a chance.

“Riza Durmisi, who plays in Spain for Real Betis, has been playing recently but I heard he might be injured so we’ll see.

“The manager phoned me last year to say there were some injuries and he wanted me to join the squad, but I had to tell him I had a knee injury and needed an injection so I wasn’t available.

“I haven’t heard from him since then but there has been no fall-out with him. I won’t be calling him to say I think I should be in the squad — I’m not that kind of person and I know I have to earn my place by playing well for Ipswich. If he rings me again, as long as I don’t have an injury, I’ll be ready to go.

“I want Denmark to do well and get through to the finals because I will still be looking to be in the squad. It would be fantastic to go and play in the World Cup finals.

“We went out in the play-offs the last time so we are looking to win through this time. I wish I could help them because I feel I have something to offer but if I don’t get in the next squad I will be cheering them on and looking to play well enough in the future to earn my place for Russia.”

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