FABIAN Wilnis today revealed his surprise at being dropped from the Ipswich Town team.The 37-year-old Dutch defender says that he was rested for the visit to Sheffield United - a game that came two days after a 2-2 draw at Norwich City.

By Elvin King

FABIAN Wilnis today revealed his surprise at being dropped from the Ipswich Town team.

The 37-year-old Dutch defender says that he was rested for the visit to Sheffield United - a game that came two days after a 2-2 draw at Norwich City.

“I was told I was being given a rest,” said Wilnis.

“I thought I would be brought back for the Bristol City match and it is proving a longer rest than I expected.

“Being dropped is part and parcel of football, and heaven knows I have experienced it enough times in my career.

“But it was the way it happened that left me surprised.”

What makes the situation harder for Wilnis to accept is the fact that in the five games he has played this season Ipswich have not lost.

The man who is expected to be on the bench for the visit of Barnsley to Portman Road this afternoon, added: “I was okay with having a rest at Sheffield United, but after a 3-1 defeat I was expecting to be back against Bristol City.

“When Ipswich won that match 6-0 it was hard for the manager to make any changes, and I accept that.

“I have spoken to him, and there is no problem between me and the gaffer.

“But it has proved to be a frustrating few weeks for me.

“It has been hard to deal with, but I am a fighter and will work hard in training and prove to the manager that I deserve a place back in the side.

“My career has been a bit of a roller coaster all the way through, but through the doom and gloom I have always kept a position outlook.”

Wilnis has not written off staying with the Blues next season even though he will be 38 next August. His one-year contract runs out in the summer, with Wilnis saying:

“First things first, but once we get through this season I will look further ahead. I would miss playing and at the moment I am as fit as I have ever been.”

BLUES legend Kevin Beattie will be conducting the FA Cup third round draw around 3.15pm tomorrow (SUN) with the draw being shown live on BBC television.

Sammy Nelson, a member of the Arsenal side beaten by Ipswich 1-0 in the 1978 final at Wembley, will be sharing the draw with Beattie. The Ipswich number in the draw will be 20.

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Today's squads

Ipswich Town: Alexander; Wright, Bruce, De Vos, Harding; Walters, Garvan, Miller, Clarke; Lee, Counago, Williams, Supple, Haynes, Legwinski, Wilnis, Roberts, Trotter.

Barnsley: Muller, Foster, Souza, Nyatanga, Werling, Devaney, de Silva, McCann, Ferenczi, Macken, Colgan, Johnson, Mostto, Ricketts, van Homoet, Reid, Odejayi, Christensen.

Referee: Mr A Penn (West Midlands)