JOE Royle last night said Martijn Reuser had every chance of keeping his first-team place, but admitted the popular Dutchman would not be taken off the free transfer list, writes Derek Davis.

JOE Royle last night said Martijn Reuser had every chance of keeping his first-team place, but admitted the popular Dutchman would not be taken off the free transfer list, writes Derek Davis.

With Nottingham Forest supposedly keen on the former Ajax midfielder and apparently close to making a move, the Blues boss admitted he would be reluctant to see him leave.

Royle last night said: "Martijn is a lovely man and I like him immensely. He did very well towards the end of the season and if continues where he left off then he is very much in contention.

"But the reality of the situation is if we to get someone willing to come in and take on his contract he is a player we would let go.

"It is a different situation to a couple of the other free transfers who have no future at the club, if he stays then he has every chance of playing.

"I have not heard anything from Forest, or any other club as yet, and he will be with us on Wednesday when we all get together."

Reuser has been working hard on his fitness during the summer, and improving his golf.

The Dutchman equalled his own best-ever round of 81 in a Pro-Am at Stoke-by-Nayland on Sunday and is determined to have his most consistent season on the pitch this year – at Ipswich.

He said: "I'm feeling fit and ready. There are still a lot of good players at Ipswich. Some have moved on and it is a great opportunity for me to have a really good season.

"I have shown in periods what I can do but my aim this season is to play well week in and week out."

Reuser is unconcerned that he remains on the free transfer list and supposed interest from elsewhere.

He said: "Being on a free doesn't make any difference these days. I've always been happy at Ipswich and I want to stay.

"I want to do well for the club and be consistent."

Town are no closer to moving on the five players who have been placed on the list, but with five weeks before the Nationwide season kicks off and most clubs back in full swing as from today, they are confident interest will step up.

Goalkeepers Andy Marshall and James Pullen, striker Alun Armstrong and midfielder Nabil Abidallah are all on the list along with Reuser.

The dressing room will be all the quieter without the ebullient Mark Venus, who has been released, but the return of garrulous Jim Magilton who is due to sign a new contract tomorrow, along with Fabian Wilnis and Richard Naylor, will make up for that.

All three fell out of contract yesterday but Royle is confident they will sign on the dotted line after receiving verbal assurances.

The Blues squad reconvene at the training ground tomorrow without England strikers Darren Bent and Dean Bowditch, who were giving extra time off following their exertions with their respective national squads.

The team will have to wait another week before meeting new signing Drissa Diallo, who is getting married this weekend in his homeland, Guinea, and joins up next Tuesday.

Sadly, Matt Bloomfield will be another absentee after an injury towards the end of the season turned out to be a serious cruciate ligament.

John McGreal though is recovering well after a nightmare injury season last campaign and will be able to join in the running, but is still a few weeks away from doing any ball work.