FABIAN Wilnis let it be known today that he wants to be back in the Ipswich Town team to stay.After playing a significant part in the Tractor Boys' rousing recovery against Crewe Alexandra, the 35-year-old Dutchman wants to see his name on the team sheet for the next Championship match at Reading on Sunday week.

By Elvin King

FABIAN Wilnis let it be known today that he wants to be back in the Ipswich Town team to stay.

After playing a significant part in the Tractor Boys' rousing recovery against Crewe Alexandra, the 35-year-old Dutchman wants to see his name on the team sheet for the next Championship match at Reading on Sunday week.

The Blues were rocking at 1-0 down at Portman Road on Saturday, before Wilnis came on after the interval to lead a revival that led to goals from Darren Currie and Nicky Forster.

A committed club man, Wilnis said: “It has been very disappointing to sit on the bench and watch our poor display at Burnley last Tuesday and the first half against Crewe.

“We were ripped apart on Saturday before the interval and could have been four or five goals down.

“My situation was made worse because I know that I have been playing well this season, standing in beside Richard Naylor when Jason De Vos was injured.

“I can understand the reasoning behind naming me on the bench, but that does not make it any easier. It has been hard to take.

“I have had to wait my turn, and was glad that I was an opportunity. Hopefully I have given the manager a selection headache.

“At the moment I am on the pitch, and I want to stay there against Reading where I will give another 110 per cent.”

Wilnis replaced Sam Parkin, who was carrying a slight back injury with Richard Naylor moving up front in the second period as Ipswich turned the match around after a dreadful first 45 minutes.

Forster made a successful return after a six-week injury lay-off, to help move Ipswich up to eighth in the table.

“Nicky did very well,” added Wilnis. “And so did Jimmy Juan who also came on after 60 minutes.

“I was keen to take my opportunity to influence the game, and was motivating our lads from the re-start.

“It was a vital victory as with the greatest respect to Crewe we would have been left with a very empty feeling if we had lost the game.

“We need to beat teams like Crewe.”

Wilnis recalled a great chance he missed of scoring his first goal since his stirring effort at Norwich City in 2002/03.

He said: “I was unmarked for Darren Currie's corner and a picture of me celebrating the goal flashed through my mind as I went to header the ball. I failed to connect properly, and the ball rolled well wide.”

Lewis Price is joining up with the Welsh squad this week while the Ipswich squad will have a quiet week with no games because of world cup qualifiers until Reading.