MARTIJN Reuser is ready to force his way back into the Ipswich Town midfield despite stiff competition.An on-song fully-fit Reuser continues to be one of the most exciting sights at Portman Road and Blues fans may get their first glimpse of their hero for more than three months when they face Sheffield United.

MARTIJN Reuser is ready to force his way back into the Ipswich Town midfield despite stiff competition, writes Derek Davis.

An on-song fully-fit Reuser continues to be one of the most exciting sights at Portman Road and Blues fans may get their first glimpse of their hero for more than three months when they face Sheffield United.

After three reserve games following a lay-off with a groin strain the Dutchman declared he is right and raring to go.

With Alan Mahon laid low with flu this week just as he had recovered from a hamstring injury, Reuser will be hoping for at least a place on the bench and to push Ian Westlake to get his left-side of midfield role back again.

Reuser appreciates the competition but is ready to strut his stuff once more.

He said: “It is a good midfield but I'm a good midfielder myself. Hopefully I have put myself in a position where I will give the manager a selection headache.

“I can't wait to be involved in the squad and after playing three games I feel I'm ready to be involved in the first team - but that is down to the manager.

“I can't wait to be playing for Ipswich Town again and to do well for the team and the fans.”

The Dutchman thrilled the sprinkling of supporters who saw 10-man Town held to a goalless draw by Portsmouth on Tuesday with a series of long-distance shots and a hard-working display.

He said: “I should have hit the target in the first half when Dean Bowditch did really well to set me up.

“I went into central midfield and that suited me. We all worked hard, I got some tackles in and we had to work even harder when we went down to 10 men.”

Despite the long lay-off Reuser appears to have recovered his fitness quite quickly and the sharpness is almost fully there.

He said: “I'm a little bit surprised at how good I feel as I was out for nearly three months.

“Last year with my knee injury I was not able to run so I could not stay fit but with this groin injury I have been able to run so my fitness stayed pretty good.”

At one point it looked as if Reuser may have needed a hernia operation but endless hours of working with physio Dave Willimas and fitness coach Simon Thadani paid off for the former Ajax star.

He said: “I avoided an operation so that was a real bonus for me. After feeling so terrible for the past four or five months it feels so good to be pain free again.”

If Reuser gets on against the Blades, the £1m signing from Vitesse Arnhem will then be just three games short of making his 100th Town appearance.