ALTHOUGH hurt and upset at not starting against Gillingham, Martijn Reuser could not bring himself to have a pop at respected boss Joe Royle, writes Derek Davis.

ALTHOUGH hurt and upset at not starting against Gillingham, Martijn Reuser could not bring himself to have a pop at respected boss Joe Royle, writes Derek Davis.

Since returning from a serious knee operation Reuser has taken time to find full fitness and form, but he has shown in the past three games he is approaching his best again – and that will be a worrying sight for Town's play-off challengers.

Reuser went on for the injured Thomas Gaardsoe after the Dane complained of a groin injury after just 15 minutes.

The Dutchman said: "I feel I have played well in the past three games so I was really disappointed to be left out. But he told me it was for tactical reasons and I understand that. But I don't have any problems with the manager, in fact, I have great respect for him. He is a terrific guy but when he read the team out on Friday I was disappointed. Hopefully I showed him though that I'm worth a starting place and can help Ipswich get in the play-offs."

Reuser twice hit the woodwork, once from a free kick, the other unmarked from eight yards after cleverly finding some space and he set up Pablo Counago's goal.

He added: "If I had a quid for every time I have hit the woodwork in my career I would be a rich man. It took me a while to get going after my in juries but now I'm coming back to my best."

Reuser was a revelation when he signed initially on loan from Vitesse Arnhem scoring on his debut against Fulham and then bought for £1 million, helping Town reach the play-off final where he scored the fourth goal at Wembley.

He said: "I enjoyed helping out the last time we were pushing for the play-offs and then getting to the final and I would love for us to do that again. I have the experience, as many of the lads have, and that will help us. Even with everything happening in the past few days... the atmosphere in the dressing room is terrific."

Although he also needed an ice pack for an injury after the game, Reuser insisted it was a minor knock and would be fit for Saturday's home game with Forest.