WEMBLEY hero Martijn Reuser is backing Ipswich to help him make it a perfect Bank Holiday weekend of celebration, writes Derek Davis.The former Blues favourite took time out from preparing for the Dutch Cup final with Willem II, to wish his old Town mates good luck for tonight's play-off second leg and then success in Cardiff.

WEMBLEY hero Martijn Reuser is backing Ipswich to help him make it a perfect Bank Holiday weekend of celebration, writes Derek Davis.

The former Blues favourite took time out from preparing for the Dutch Cup final with Willem II, to wish his old Town mates good luck for tonight's play-off second leg and then success in Cardiff.

Reuser is Willem II's top scorer with nine goals in 26 games and helped them to the Amstel Cup final, against Dutch champions PSV on May 29, the day before the play-off final at the Millennium Stadium.

Speaking exclusively to the EADT from Holland, Reuser said: "It would be wonderful if we can beat PSV and then Ipswich win their final and get promoted again.

"First they must beat West Ham in the semis and I really fancy them to do it. Last year we won at home but lost in the second leg away but this year Ipswich have the home advantage and that will be a massive help to them.

"The fans there are brilliant and the game is all-square now so Ipswich can do it. If they get there and win, and we do too, then it would be a great weekend for me, my club, the fans and everyone at Ipswich."

The 30-year-old midfielder was not impressed with the Blues' performance against Brighton but is sure they will be better against the Hammers, and will be an interested viewer.

He said: "I watched that game in an English pub here in Holland and I will probably watch the West Ham game there too. The Brighton game was not very good and Ipswich were quite poor but that was a difficult situation. I'm sure they will be much better at home in this game."

Reuser also feels it is a good thing that away goals don't count.

He said: "I remember when we drew 2-2 at Bolton and we were not happy that there was no away goals rule as they do in Europe. But when the game finished 3-3 after 90 minutes at Portman Road we were quite pleased by it then."

Reuser netted the fifth goal in Town's extra-time win over the Trotters and went on and scored the final goal in the 4-2 win over Barnsley at Wembley.

He enjoyed two years in the Premiership with Town before finally being released at the end of last season, when he returned to the Netherlands.

Apart from a two-month spell when he was injured, Reuser has had a good season with Willem II.

His nine goals in 26 games makes him the club's leading scorer and he nabbed two of those in a 3-0 win at FC Utrecht on Sunday, one of them a rare headed goal.

Reuser only managed one strike with his head for Ipswich, when he notched the winner against Manchester City, which relegated Joe Royle's side from the Premiership.

Willem II's cup final spot, after beating Ajax in the semi-finals, assures them of European football next season, as PSV have already qualified for the Champions' League.

Reuser said: "We are finishing the season well, with four wins and a draw in the last five games and we are in Europe."

The Dutchman is still in contact with a couple of Town players and was also one of the first to congratulate Thomas Gaardsoe, who secured another season in the Premiership with West Brom with victory over Portsmouth on the last day of the season.

He is also hoping to meet up with Tony Mowbray and Mark Venus in next season's UEFA Cup – Scottish club Hibs should clinch their spot this weekend.