Blues first-choice keeper Bartosz Bialkowski believes Michael Crowe is ready to make his debut between the sticks for Town if required. Crowe, 22, has been on the bench for the last few games with Dean Gerken out of action due to a hip problem.

“He’s been training really well over the last few months,” Bialkowski said of the London-born, Norway-raised former Wales U21 international. “He’s up for it and he’s ready and he’s a good young keeper.”

Crowe, who joined the Blues academy from Norwegian side IK Start in the summer of 2012, has been on the bench for the Town first team on 23 occasions now but his only 12 senior games were for loan clubs Woking and Braintree in the National League.

While manager Mick McCarthy says he will probably look to recruit another keeper in January with Gerken expected to be out for a while, until then Crowe would be called upon to take over from Bialkowski if he is injured or red-carded.

McCarthy may also be weighing up whether to hand him his debut in the FA Cup tie at home to Sheffield United on Saturday 6th January.

It’s feared, although not yet confirmed, that Gerken will require surgery on his injury, which Bialkowski says he has been struggling with for a while.

“He has had a hip problem for the last couple of months, he’s had a couple of injections,” the former Poland U20 international said.

“I’m not sure how long he’s going to be out for but it’s a shame really because he’s a good guy and it’s always good to have that competition for places. I know Deano, he’s always training hard and making me a better keeper as well.”

Looking ahead to today’s game against QPR, Bialkowski is hoping the Blues can continue their recent home form, which he says will be vital to Town maintaining their play-off push during the second half of the season.

“It’s going to be massive and it has been massive for us,” he added. “In the play-off season Portman Road was like a fortress for us and I think we’re there already.

“We’ve got two very winnable games over the Christmas period we’ve just got to make sure we win them both.”

The former Notts County and Southampton man hopes the home form will encourage more fans along to Portman Road with only 13,832 having attended the last match, the 2-0 victory over Reading.

“Obviously it’s so much better [when crowds are larger],” he continued. “Look at Wolves, they had a sell-out, it’s so much better for the players, for everyone involved with the club.

“And I hope the people in Ipswich are going to start coming to the game and being our 12th player.”

Bialkowski’s Town contract is up at the end of the season but with the Blues having an option to extend those terms for a further year. He says there have been no talks on that front so far.

“I’m still under contract and the club need to let me know before the last game of the season,” he said.

“It’s always up to them what they’re going to do, I’m just trying to concentrate on football.”

Asked whether he was aware of any interest in him from elsewhere, he added: “I’m just trying concentrate on my football, I’m just doing my thing.”

Photo: TWTD

blue75 added 06:28 - Dec 26 Can't see McCarthy trusting Crowe based on his comments about getting another keeper in.
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GiveusaWave added 07:01 - Dec 26 Can't understand why we aren't offering Bialkowski a new contract...unless of course we intend to sell him.
6

tcblue added 07:27 - Dec 26 He's either good enough and so we don't need another keeper on loan, or he's not and he needs to leave. He's been here long enough, and I think what Mick does in January ought to make his mind up for him.
4

DiamondGezzer added 08:06 - Dec 26 Is this unfortunately another sign that Bart is underway, let's hope not.
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bings109 added 08:26 - Dec 26 This feels like goodbye and thanks from Bart, watch this space. And dont expect any money going to be spent either. No-loans last transfer window, be underwhelmed everyone.
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lightingblue added 08:36 - Dec 26 Let's get things into perspective. Best part 90 million in debt. Have to sell assets to keep going
0

KiwiBlue2 added 09:51 - Dec 26 Hope Bart doesn't go in January but everyone has their price. should he go then he will be remembered as one of our best ever keepers. Obviously he would succeed in the Premier League but the club that should be seriously looking at him is PSG with the business end of the Champions League looming as he is clearly better than what they have
2

NBVJohn added 11:02 - Dec 26 Bart will be sold in January. The club will say the right things about investing proceeds, but dilly dally as ever and miss out. We won't learn lessons and Milne will tell us how lucky we are. I'd love to be wrong, but who would bet against it. We won't go up or down and the tedious lumbering along will continue. Give me some excitement!
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Seasider added 12:11 - Dec 26 At least they can invoke his extra year now surely,or do they have to wait until the end of season Phil
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christiand added 12:24 - Dec 26 Until Crpwe has a few games in the first team you don't really know if they can cope with the step up to the first team. Yes he has been out on loan to the National Conference a couple of times, but that's not the Championship. I hope he can do it, but he needs to be given the opportunity to prove himself first at that level.
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Spanishblueblood added 12:52 - Dec 26 Kiwi, Bart is a steady keeper but one of our best ever......not a chance mate, nowhere near imo!
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liam88 added 13:04 - Dec 26 Bye Bart thanks for your efforts over the last few seasons.
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Pilgrimblue added 21:02 - Dec 27 After QPR it did look like Bart was on his way. So expect Prem loan while Gerks gets fit otherwise Crowe should surely play in Cup.
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