Jonas Knudsen may have been at the World Cup but manager Paul Hurst has told the Danish international he has to show him he’s worth a place in his team when Blackburn Rovers visit on the opening day with Myles Kenlock having impressed at left-back in the former Esbjerg fB man’s absence. The 21-year-old was the scorer of the only goal in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Barnet.

Knudsen, who made one appearance for Denmark in Russia in the round-of-16 penalties defeat to Croatia, returns to the club today following his post-finals break.

Hurst says it will be good to have the 25-year-old back but says it’s by no means a fait accompli that Knudsen will go straight into his first XI.

“Yes, but obviously with Myles Kenlock there’s competition there,” he said. “He did very well to get his goal.

“A goal from a left-back’s nice, it’s not the be-all and end-all to his performance, of course, but Myles has done OK since I’ve been at the club and I think he’s kind of stepped up in terms of trying to come out, in terms of personality as well. Another young player.

“Jonas isn’t going to come back and just walk into the team. I said that when we agreed on the date for him to come back in and he’s got to really hit the ground running to really come into my thoughts for the Blackburn game.”

Having appeared on football’s biggest stage it would be little surprise if Knudsen had attracted some interest, particularly with only a year remaining on his contract, however, Hurst says he’s not aware of anyone making an approach..

“Not to my knowledge, at this present time there isn’t,” he added. “I find it a bit different because, not so much where I was last season, but before that I was used to players’ contracts just running out and then them having to wait to see the manager a couple of days later.

“I understand the higher you go that as soon as anyone’s getting close to their last year people are talking and you’re trying to set new deals up.

“But Jonas, yes he was on the world stage, but for me, and we’ve had this conversation so I’m not saying anything that’s going to be news to him, he hasn’t done anything for me yet.

“I’ve seen some games but I haven’t seen him close up so he has to earn my faith and check that everything about him is what I’m after before we think about a new deal. Realistically, if anything happens before that, then all parties will have to look at it.

“That’s my thoughts and feelings. He can’t sign anywhere else until January, if that were the case, and by that time I’m sure I will have looked at it and assessed the situation.”

Photos: Action Images/PagePix

FrankMarshall added 06:15 - Jul 23 Sounds like there is good competition between Kenlock and Knudsen which is good. However, if Knudsen wants to regularly play for Denmark he needs to be first-choice somewhere. Could this mean Knudsen will be off during this transfer window?
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Steelmonkey added 06:17 - Jul 23 I would rather see Knudsen starting at centre half as he looked more comfortable in that position when he filled in to cover for injuries last season, I wonder if that's why Hurst is waiting on making an improved bid for Tilt until he's had a good look at Jonas. However having looked at the video footage of Tilt he looks a good prospect to step up to championship level.

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BlueMachines added 06:28 - Jul 23 I'm all up for Hurst challenging players but is this lastest public option really required? We all got fed up of favourites playing regardless previously but poor Jonas seems to be getting unfair treatment here. I think he is likely to come in and work hard. He may not be the most talented player but he is passionate and committed. Perhaps Hurst just needs to tone some of this rhetoric down.

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tractorboybig added 06:37 - Jul 23 bluemachines I think Hurst is being asked loaded questions in passing and the replies reported out of all proportion.
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jayceee added 06:39 - Jul 23 I've always felt Jonas is a player that gives his all, has enough quality, but somehow has just been lacking a little confidence to make him the player many of us believe he can become. Can't see how these kind of public comments will help him.
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MrTown added 06:55 - Jul 23 BlueMachines - Hurst hasn't slated Jonas here, calling him a terrible player. He is simply letting people know, you play for me if you show me you're good enough, not Mick McCarthy, not the Denmark manager, you have to show me. And I think it's a reality check these players need, too many of them were happy collecting a cheque under MM because they knew they were never be out of the squad. P.S not saying Knudsen is a bad player, he is a passionate championship talented footballer, I'm just saying he will have to play the exact same rules everyone else has under PH, as will Chalobah when he comes back.

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RoyalAscotBlue added 06:55 - Jul 23 These comments are simply EXACTLY THE SAME comments he made about EVERYBODY ELSE when he first arrived. For me personally Kenlock offers an awful lot more than Knudsen going forwards. He may not have as much presence defensively but that will come with experience. We have been linked with another very promising young left back too... I suspect that Jonas is being looked at as a centre half, which could well be the best option for all concerned. Would like to see us bring in Tilt as well though.

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Len_Brennan added 07:09 - Jul 23 These comments may be as much about the prospect of us signing the lad from Scunthorpe as the potential rivalry with Kenlock. Hurst might havecfancied either of them as his first choice left back & Knudsen did make some public comments on how he felt the club treated Mick McCarthy, so there could be other factors at play. Hurst already made reference to Jonas playing left side of a 3 man centre back formation & then suggesting it could be left side of a 2 man; perhaps he doesn't see him as being the type of full back best suited to his preferred formation.

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itfc94 added 07:09 - Jul 23 There were times when Kenlock was dropped for Knudsen under MM, simply because Knudsen was a favourite. So for me, this is refreshing. You earn the right to pull on the Town shirt based on your performances, ability and attitude. PH has spoke like this since the moment he walked through the door, so it's not unfair treatment. I'd like to see Knudsen at CB but still believe we can get someone in that's stronger

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Stato added 07:11 - Jul 23 Once Hurst has signed a big lump number 9 its easy to see that Knudsen will be sending in the bombs even more frequently than he did under Mccarthy
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Dog added 07:17 - Jul 23 I think he will so that you can have a look at him. Unless of course, he is going to be sold as well?
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Dissboyitfc added 07:26 - Jul 23 No Favourites, exactly how it should be! Too many were nailed on regardless of form b4. For me Knudsen is a better central defender, all day long!
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Suffolkboy added 07:28 - Jul 23 PH certainly is being tested by the media ,probably as much to search for a story, as to find out about ITFC as a team .He seems more aware of what's going on now viz comments on 'contracts ', and is coming to terms with thing that are different at this level . I don't believe he's threatening JK in any way , but emphasising the standards are expected of everybody-- and I can't see JK wanting anything else . Don't for one moment think PH would hold comment on MM against him; and anyway in fact I see those remarks as relating to ' the WAY ' MM was treated . So let's be pleased we're looking for strengths and back up in every position and trust we shall see positive football to keep us all enthusiastic this season ! Come on you Blues !

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ArnieM added 07:51 - Jul 23 Wouldn't worry me if he left . After all Jonas said he would “review his situation”, after McCarthy left didn't he! Fine off you go then mate. I much prefer Kenlock to Onudsen - at least he gets over the half way line and sticks a decent cross in!
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Blue_Heath added 07:59 - Jul 23 Yes, get Kenlock in and cash out on Knudsen while his transfer fee will be at its highest. Bring in a new centre back with the cash.
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martin587 added 07:59 - Jul 23 I don't think Paul was being unfair regarding his comments on Jonas,he has said the same about all the staff.Under Paul each and every player has to prove his worth to pull on a Town shirt and if they don't they know where they stand. It is of course possible he could fill in as a back three should we fail to sigh a CB before the deadline but let's hope that scenario doesn't arise. Interesting few weeks ahead.🤞

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martin587 added 08:10 - Jul 23 Living in Southend I watched them play Leeds yesterday.Leeds at the moment looked very average and short of quality players.Must say Southend looked good.(Just thought I'd throw that in.)
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Fartman added 08:18 - Jul 23 I really hope Kenlock has taken a step up from last year. Then we wouldn't need another left back. If not, a season long loan would do him good, as he's quite raw defensively. Sounds like it did do Emmanuel no harm.
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BlueMachines added 08:25 - Jul 23 Hurst said he had already told Jonas this. Maybe it could've just been left there? I am certainly up for seeing a change in the way the layers are challenged, I just think Hurst needs to tone down the stamping of his authority slightly.
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Currie10 added 08:36 - Jul 23 Completely with you BlueMachines..... I think lets keep a little more internal as opposed to these kind of comments. This isn't the first article Hurst's gone on record this summer and left me a little ' hmmm if these players don't buy into this,,,,, then you're really a sitting duck ' As for Knudsen v Kenlock - Knudsen all day long. Kenlock nowhere near strong enough in a 1 v 1 battle / good enough defensively. Knudsen actually got 7 assists from LB last season apparently. Very good numbers.

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ChrisFelix added 08:38 - Jul 23 This proper bloke is no wing back, although Mccarthy didn't ever appear to play hI'm in that role. He certainly isn't good enough to play a central position in this division
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floridaboy added 08:41 - Jul 23 I find Hurst quite refreshing as a manager. Why should Jonas walk straight back in just because he played one game at the world cup It's obvious Hurst has watched loads of games from last season as seen that the previous manager used to play players because they were 'favourites ' even after poor performance s Many were also on here moaning about it. How Hurst is going to do things differently it is wrong! Hurst coming in is what many at the club needed IMHO!!

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Swn98 added 08:47 - Jul 23 Itfc94 all this rubbish about favourites no it was players superfans didn't like that called them micks proper blokes Kenlock had plenty of average or below average games last season.
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Swn98 added 08:49 - Jul 23 All this open management will only end up one way.
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ArnieM added 08:58 - Jul 23 Promotion?
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