THOMAS Gaardsoe has been tipped for an international future by Blues boss Joe Royle, writes Derek Davis.The Danish defender has shown good improvement since securing a regular role in defence under Royle and has weighed in with four goals from the back.

THOMAS Gaardsoe has been tipped for an international future by Blues boss Joe Royle, writes Derek Davis.

The Danish defender has shown good improvement since securing a regular role in defence under Royle and has weighed in with four goals from the back.

A former Denmark Under-21 international, Gaardsoe has been converted from a cultured midfielder to a central defender and is still coming to terms with the physical rigours of battling in the trenches. But Royle feels if the 23-year-old can get tougher there could be a place for him in Morten Olsen's national squad.

Town have a number of international youngsters, Sam Morrow (Ireland), Lewis Price (Wales), Chris Hogg, Dean Bowditch, Matt Bloomfield and Darren Bent (England) while skipper Matt Holland has captained the Republic of Ireland and Royle believes there could be more to follow.

He said: "We may have lost Hermann (Hreidarsson), who was with Iceland, but we will continue to have more internationals I'm sure.

"There is a target there for Thomas Gaardsoe who has made a big improvement this year. He can go on and play for his country."

Gaardsoe has seen former Aab Aalborg team-mate Brian Priske make his Danish debut recently, and could himself start pushing some of the old guard soon.

Royle reckons Matt Richards could also join the ranks of Kieron Dyer, Richard Wright, Titus Bramble, the two Darrens and James Scowcroft, who have played for England Under-21s.

He said: "Matt Richards has to be looking at pushing into the England Under-19s or even Under-21s."

It may be a lot to ask for Pablo Counago to make a mark for Spain even though he was a favourite at Under-21 level, including scoring twice against England.

Royle said: "It is good to see Pablo winning the award for improvement as even since I have been here his Englishness has got better, his realisation that every time he goes over he is not going to get a foul. He knows there are things in England that we expect from a player that may not be the case abroad. I remember him winning a goal for us because he tackled back and we broke away to score, which was great. He has done terrific for us and can get even better."

Royle went on to praise a number of other players who have impressed him this year. He said: "Fabian (Wilnis) has had a good season while Jim (Magilton) remains a very influential player for us. When he is at his best, we are at our best.

"Marcus (Bent) has improved as well and he has realised the importance of hard work for the team. The crowd have appreciated that as well and it was good to see them applaud when he has chased back because we all know he has talent.

"But the whole squad is still a very strong squad for this division. I'm not going to make silly predictions as to who will be here but it is not a forlorn hope that many will be."

Town go to Derby on Sunday with a couple of injury doubts. Tommy Miller is suffering from a strained calf, although Wilnis is improving after a knee injury. Matt Bloomfield looks a doubt after a bad tackle in the 3-0 win at Coventry Reserves left him with severe bruising around the knee. He is still hoping to make the trip to Pride Park where, if fit, he may make his debut.

Former Rams boss John Gregory will face his bosses today after being suspended by the club. His hearing will explore issues such as the treatment of Craig Burley's injury, the sacking of coach Billy McEwan, who has since been reinstated, and Gregory's comments regarding the cub's financial situation.

Former Ipswich boss George Burley will remain in charge for Sunday's game against Ipswich whatever the outcome of today's hearing.