THOMAS Gaardsoe today spoke of the determination to hold on to his proud Joe Royle record.Ipswich Town's 23-year-old central defensive kingpin has not missed starting a single Nationwide League game since Royle took over as Blues manager just over five months ago.

By Mel Henderson

THOMAS Gaardsoe today spoke of the determination to hold on to his proud Joe Royle record.

Ipswich Town's 23-year-old central defensive kingpin has not missed starting a single Nationwide League game since Royle took over as Blues manager just over five months ago.

Now he's desperate to shrug off a groin injury to take his place in Saturday's crunch home clash with play-off rivals Nottingham Forest – and to help the Blues avenge their 2-1 First Division defeat at the City Ground earlier this season.

Gaardsoe, trying to put his injury to the test at the training ground today, had failed to establish himself as a Town regular under former boss George Burley.

With Royle he was in from day one and has made every league teamsheet since.

Gaardsoe said: "I hate missing out and hopefully it will feel good in training today. If not, then I'll try again tomorrow.

"I'm so proud of the fact that I've been there at the beginning of all the First Division matches under Joe.

"I want to keep it going but, if it's not right then it's not right. I'm very hopeful it may be though."

Former Aalborg and Danish Under-21 international Gaardsoe started last Saturday's 3-1 away win at Gillingham, but came off soon after the kick-off.

He said: "It's the same injury as the one I got against Millwall at home over Christmas. It forced me to miss the FA Cup game with Morecambe.

"An injury like this can take up to seven days. It's been feeling much better though and I think I'm optimistic that I'll be fit for the Forest visit."

Gaardsoe added: "I played in the defeat up at Nottingham just before Christmas when we lost. They had some very dangerous strikers and created a lot of chances. I particularly want to be back for this return game to do much better against them.

"Last week at Gillingham it was so disappointing to come off early on, but I sat and watched with great excitement as the lads went on to get a great win. I hate not playing though and am desperate to be back for the Forest game."

Royle said: "Thomas' groin has to be protected, he wears a special pair of pants for that purpose. The fact that we took him off so early at Gillingham may have been a good thing with regards to Saturday. He remains with a 50-50 chance."

Striker Darren Bent is an even bigger doubt than Gaardsoe.

The England Under-21 international has a hamstring injury.