JOE Royle has been watching the televised games this week with a wistful eye as a number of former Blues take centre stage, writes Derek Davis.Marcus Bent started the week with the goal that helped Leicester City, complete with James Scowcroft, to a 2-0 win over Blackburn.

JOE Royle has been watching the televised games this week with a wistful eye as a number of former Blues take centre stage, writes Derek Davis.

Marcus Bent started the week with the goal that helped Leicester City, complete with James Scowcroft, to a 2-0 win over Blackburn.

Former Town skipper Matt Holland scored twice as he captained Charlton to a 2-1 win over Birmingham, who again included Jamie 'Mr Consistent' Clapham.

Keeper Matteo Sereni was in goal for Lazio against Chelsea in the Champions' League in Rome last night while Kieron Dyer, Titus Bramble and Darren Ambrose are all doing well with a Newcastle United side who have a brush with Basle in the UEFA Cup tomorrow night.

Meanwhile, Thomas Gaardsoe has been named in the full Denmark squad to face England in a friendly at Old Trafford on December 15.

The financial situation dictated all the above players, apart from Dyer, Scowcroft and Bramble, were eased out of Portman Road during Royle's reign and while he may lament some of the departures he refuses to engage in rueful regrets.

He said: “It has been a good week for our ex players with Thomas getting picked for Denmark, big Marcus scoring in a big game for Leicester, Matt getting a couple.

“We saw Jamie Clapham but Hermann (Hreidarsson) will be the happiest of all as he has got five stitches.

“They were all smashing lads who we are all desperate to see do well and they are missed around the place.

“All the players that have left here are good players, the five we have mentioned there including Scowcroft, who are all now playing in the Premiership again.

“There will be a collective sigh from the fans and it is right, we should have a bit of pride in them. But that is all we want to say about the past because the future starts on Saturday against Derby.

“Our Academy record is second to none and that is also the future not just for Ipswich but for many clubs where good coaching is going to be even more important.”

One former Town player going through an unhappy spell is keeper Richard Wright, now at Everton. Wright will seek advice from top American consultant Richard Steadman to try and cure a long-standing ankle injury.