Paul Hurst admitted Bartosz Bialkowski needs to perform to a higher standard after dropping the Pole for this afternoon’s clash with Norwich.

East Anglian Daily Times: Town manager Paul Hurst arrives on the pitch ahead of the game. Picture: STEVE WALLER WWW.STEPHENWALLER.COMTown manager Paul Hurst arrives on the pitch ahead of the game. Picture: STEVE WALLER WWW.STEPHENWALLER.COM (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

Hurst made six changes to his side for the game with the Canaries, with Bialkowski’s absence the most-hotly discussed as the three-time player-of-the-year dropped to the bench.

The Ipswich boss insisted the Pole, who went to this summer’s World Cup and signed a new long-term deal on his return, needs to perform to a higher standard if he is to be in the side.

“That’s the one everyone keeps asking me about and, without being rude to Bart, he’s no different to any other player here and he has to perform to be in the team,” he said.

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“I think at this moment in time he hasn’t lived up to that. I can’t keep picking someone when I have someone like Dean Gerken as the other goalkeeper.

“That’s why I went for it and I’m sure Bart will come back and have good games for Ipswich Town in the future, but I’m not sure that’s quite been happening.

“It was strange, someone said earlier as if last week was a really bad performance and that wasn’t the case, but I have to do what I feel is right for the team. I felt that was the best line-up to go with and it almost got the response we wanted.”

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Janoi Donacien was left out of the squad due to the fact the Blues have six loanees but can only include five on a matchday, with Hurst admitting he had planned to start with Jordan Spence in any case.

Donacien can become a permanent signing once work permit issues are resolved, with Hurst indicating he expects that to happen soon.

“I’d spoken to JD and I was going to play Jordan Spence,” Hurst said.

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“The fact he wasn’t in the 18 was down to the loan difficulties that we’re having. I’m hoping that will be sorted out for our next game in a couple of weeks because everything is supposedly in place.

“We’re just waiting for some documentation and that can then be made into a permanent transfer.”