Danish defender Thomas Gaardsøe will celebrate two milestones on Saturday if he is involved against Coventry City. As well as celebrating his 23rd birthday, he will have reached 20 Town appearances, the point at which the Blues owe his former club AaB Aalborg more cash.

Gaardsøe signed for Town in August 2001 for £1 million with the fee rising on 20 and 40 appearances by a figure thought to be £150,000.

He made his debut in the Premiership match with West Ham last October but only made seven appearances in his first season, scoring his opening Town goal against Sunderland in the 5-0 win.

Since Joe Royle took over as manager last month Gaardsøe has very much come to the fore in a role at the centre of a defensive three.

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