Bartosz Bialkowski is excited for what the future holds as the Paul Hurst era at Ipswich Town begins.
The Polish goalkeeper is currently with his national team after earning a call-up for the World Cup on Monday, but has already been in contact with new boss Hurst.
While his focus is firmly on the World Cup in Russia, the 30-year-old says he is looking forward to working with Hurst when he returns to Suffolk later in the summer.
“And so am I,” Bialkowski replied, when asked if he shared supporters’ excitement following Hurst’s appointment.
“I’m excited about it and I’m sure I will be ready when I come back.
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“He texted me a couple of days ago and I told him I am looking forward to working with him.
“I’m really looking forward to it.”
Bialkowski will be entering the final year of his Ipswich contract when he returns from Russia, with talks firmly parked while he concentrates on the World Cup.
The goalkeeper has previously said there are small issues to iron out after a new deal was agreed, but not signed, in January, while also regularly insisting he has no burning desire to move on.
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“Nothing has changed really,” he said.
“I’m away at the moment so I just want to concentrate on the World Cup and see what happens.
“When I come back I’m going to probably sit down and talk about it.”
But for now the World Cup takes centre stage in Bialkowski’s thinking, with the 30-year-old excited by the new experiences which lie ahead.
“All I know is that it’s going to be amazing,” the goalkeeper said. “The atmosphere is going to be amazing.
“Expectations from the fans here are massive, just like everywhere else, but we just need to see where it takes us. We will do our best.”
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He isn’t the only Ipswich Town representative in Russia, of course, with Jonas Knudsen called up by Denmark for the tournament.
“Jonas and I have exchanged a few messages and congratulations since the news and it’s amazing for us both,” Bialkowski said.
“I’m pleased for him because he worked very hard to make it. We used to ask each other ‘are you going to make it?’ and we both weren’t sure, so I’m so pleased for him.”
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