FABIAN Wilnis has today revealed he was set to go out on loan when he got a call to help Ipswich Town's FA Cup cause.The 36-year-old Dutchman had not featured in the squad since November 11 and thought his days with the Blues were numbered.
By Elvin King
FABIAN Wilnis has today revealed he was set to go out on loan when he got a call to help Ipswich Town's FA Cup cause.
The 36-year-old Dutchman had not featured in the squad since November 11 and thought his days with the Blues were numbered.
He feared that he would not fulfil his dream of clocking up 300 Town appearances.
Wilnis was one of the better players in last night's dire third round replay 1-0 victory over League Two Chester City at Portman Road.
With skipper Jason De Vos injured and Alex Bruce suspended for two games from Saturday week, Wilnis could even find himself playing in a key central defensive role against Swansea in the fourth round on Saturday, January 27.
“The manager told me last Friday that he had three or four clubs interested in taking me on loan,” said Wilnis.
“I wanted the weekend to think things over and told him before training on Monday that I wanted a word after the session.
“The plan was to confirm that I was up for a move.
“But after Jason (De Vos) was injured the meeting never took place.”
Wilnis could well achieve his 300th milestone against Colchester United on Satur-day and he says he will be ready.
“Of course it was frustrating to be overlooked for so many games,” he added.
“But I have been working my socks off in training and coming in an hour early to do extra work in the gym.
“It has paid off and I feel fit enough to stay in the side.
“Being dropped is all part and parcel of football, but it was very hard to take.
“A reserve game last week was my first for six weeks and it has been training, training, training with no end product.
“There will be no prouder man than me to reach 300 games for such a wonderful club as Ipswich - a club who have done so much for me.”
An 84th minute Matt Richards goal gave Ipswich victory on a night when Bruce collected his tenth booking of the season and Sylvain Legwinski damaged a hip and had to retire at half-time.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here