Blues left-back Jonas Knudsen will have one final chance to make his case for inclusion in Denmark’s World Cup squad when the Danes take on Sweden in a friendly in Stockholm this evening.

Manager Ã…ge Hareide reduced his provisional party to 27 ahead of this week’s training camp in Helsingør and Knudsen looks to have a very good chance of making the final 23 for Russia which will be named on Monday.

The 25-year-old was the only out-and-out left-back at the training camp but Udinese's Jens Stryger Larsen has been a regular fixture in that role under Hareide, despite primarily playing at right-back.

In March, Knudsen won his third full international cap, and his first since joining Town in the summer of 2015, in a 0-0 friendly draw with Chile.

Denmark, who have another friendly at home to Mexico next Saturday, will play Peru, Australia and France in the group stages of the finals.

Blues keeper Bartosz Bialkowski joined up with a 32-man Poland party for a training camp in Arlamow on Tuesday. The final Polish squad is also set to be named on Monday.

Photo: Claus Birch

1RWR added 09:34 - Jun 2 Not everyone's cup of tea, but I'm sure he'll do well for Denmark. Hopefully Paul Hurst can 'fine tune' the Dane to be a stalwart in our defence. Good luck Jonas.
8

hoppy added 09:35 - Jun 2 Good luck Jonas... would be a great boost for him to go to the World Cup, and he deserves it in my opinion. Often gets slated, but he's developed so much since he's been with us, and don't forget.. he loves scoring against Norwich, which is never a bad thing!
14

TonyHumesIpswich added 09:38 - Jun 2 I think he's much better than the board often depicts him ((Spence and Knudsen seem to get a hard time unless they've won man of the match awards previous game). I can see the argument though for them being in a back five rather than four.
5

TimmyH added 10:02 - Jun 2 Spence has won far more MOTM awards on this board last season than Knudsen as a full back and I know this won't go down well but if he makes the Denmark squad it shows how weak they are (they depend on Eriksen too much).
-2

Simonds92 added 10:16 - Jun 2 He's our best full back by an absolute mile. Kenlock is nowhere near
-5

jas0999 added 10:24 - Jun 2 Simonds92 - I prefer Kenlock. Think that lad has loads of potential. Wish Jonas all the best, but I personally don't think he's international class. Nowhere near as good as Cresswell or Mings.
4

BlueandTruesince82 added 10:26 - Jun 2 Move him to CB full time. He loves defending, he loves the battle and competition. He's full commitment body on the line player who with a bit of fine tuning could be a really decent CB. Left back/left wing. It's basically the same thing these days with an attacking threat a prerequisite. Jonas gets forward and has a cross in him but he clearly doesn't relish that side of the game. I do think he gets a lot of stick on here and not all of it is warranted but he does have weakness no doubt. Move him inside and I think he will grow. Plus he scores against the scum.

6

ArnieM added 10:28 - Jun 2 Good Luck Jonas, not my fav player but he's a Town player and I wish him the best of luck for Denmark 🇩🇰
5

Len_Brennan added 10:41 - Jun 2 I personally think he is best deployed as a centre back, on the left side of a 3 man defence.
5

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 12:01 - Jun 2 Ã…ge Hareide is a damn good manager, and if he has confidence in Jonas, then I'm willing to take his word for it. Agree that CB may end up being his best position.
2

Edmundo added 12:45 - Jun 2 If Denmark are going to be playing 3/5 at the back, Jonas is best on the left of a back three. He is great there, overlapping and crossing let him down as a pure full back, let alone wing back. However, Hareide will have his own ideas, as of course will our new man, Hurst.
1

OwainG1992 added 13:16 - Jun 2 As a centre back I think he's a great option for us. Same with Spence. Add to that Webster and Chambers. Josh and Kenlock fullbacks. If we keep Bart got the midfielders returning from injury. We may only need to add a number 10 Wideman and forward cover. I'm sure the boss knows some gems from the lower leagues to cover that too.
3

Jewels added 13:42 - Jun 2 Be interesting to see whether our new manager will start with him. Better in central defence but perhaps with fresh game plan may come into his own.
1

Monkey_Blue added 13:44 - Jun 2 I get sick of hearing him derided... he's a good player and honest as hell. I hope he does well and gets into the squad and plays. The anti-micks are blind. For £250k he's proven more than good value. I like his attitude. He's a good guy and works hard to be as good as he can be. You can't ask more of that from a player
5

Dissboyitfc added 14:22 - Jun 2 I really do rate him in central defence, but he is not good at full back.. Being honest and hard working does not make you a good player. Distinctly average at full back!!!
3

sir_george_burley added 15:47 - Jun 2 I think there are a number of players for whom we should reserve some judgement until we see what the new manager's style and instructions are. Full-backs and wing-backs are an example. I wonder what MMcC's instructions were to Spence, Kenlock and Knudsen. We might see substantial improvements under the new regime - but then again we might not ...
1

fussysnake added 15:58 - Jun 2 For me Knudsen doesn't get enough credit for the assists he gets. As for his defending it can be questionable at times but he's constantly improving and I keep the faith in him
2

Seasider added 16:19 - Jun 2 Like a lot on here think Jonas is better in a back 3.A whole hearted player and defender. Cant be too bad as wouldn't be in the Danish World Cup Squad. Nobody has mentioned Bart;but hope both he and Jonas make the final cut,and wish them both well in their international careers,and of course for Town.
2

Northstandveteran added 16:42 - Jun 2 Good chance to put himself in the shop window for that premier league move.
1

LWNR2013 added 19:00 - Jun 2 Good luck. Good player.
1

LWNR2013 added 19:03 - Jun 2 @Monkeyblue I totally agree with your view.
2

LWNR2013 added 19:06 - Jun 2 @Hoppy.....you too.
1

horsehollerer added 20:38 - Jun 2 Agree he can look most dominant on the left of a three, but he was also highly effective bombing forward last season, chalking up SEVEN ASSISTS ... one less than Ryan Sessignon and James Maddison!
1

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls