Ipswich Town goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky is keen to show everyone how well suited he is to the team's style of play in tomorrow's FA Cup clash with Burnley.

The Czech's seven appearances this campaign have all come in the cups, but he hasn't given up on the hope of leapfrogging Christian Walton in the pecking order.

"It's always a hard job to be the number two goalie," said the 32-year-old, who started in Town's recent 4-1 third round win against Rotherham.

"Unfortunately we didn't go through in the EFL Cup (losing 1-0 at home to Colchester in the first round). That's something that hurt me because all of a sudden I lost games that I could play.

"It's different when you play once or twice a month. You have a bit more time to prepare. That's fine, but I would rather be playing every game.

East Anglian Daily Times: Vaclav Hladky has made seven appearances this season - all in the cups.Vaclav Hladky has made seven appearances this season - all in the cups. (Image: Steve Waller)

"It's not easy, I'm not going to lie. I want to be on the pitch, I want to be part of the team every single game and play my part in the success.

"I have to deal with it. I'm just glad to be part of the big team, the big club and I'm trying to contribute as much as I can.

"It is what it is. Only one person can play. I've been in this work for over 25 years now, so it's nothing new for me. We all want to be on the pitch.

"It's about having the midnset to really push yourself and try to impress the staff and give them a message saying that you want to be on the pitch."

Hladky joined Ipswich to be No.1 after an impressive time at League Two side Salford in 2021, but Walton subsequently arrived on the last day of that transfer window.

After making 14 starts in his debut campaign, the Blues turned down an offer for Hladky from Scottish Premier League side Abderdeen last summer.

The former St Mirren man, who is contracted at Portman Road for another season after this one, hasn't given up on becoming the main man between the sticks though.

"Even at 32 years old I'm still learning every day," he said. 

"It's something special to work with the gaffer. He's got huge experience from big, big football. It's great to be part of it.

"I'm just buzzing when I can play under Kieran McKenna because his style of play is something that just really suits me. I'm enjoying every single minute I am on the pitch. It's brilliant. I think that's me.

"Sometimes it's harder to train with these lads than the actual games because when we're working on build-up and the style of play, all of us are on the top level of pressing. That gives you the confidence that you can go and step up in the games."

On tomorrow's fourth round test against in-form Championship leaders Burnley, Hladky said: "It's a huge cup game against a really, really hard opponent. We've got almost 23,000 tickets sold so that shows it's a big thing for the fans.

"It's something special and it's nice to be a part of it.

"They're dominating the Championship so it's a good test for us. We want to be dominate games as well, so I think it's going to be a good game to watch.

"I think we can put the gloves off our hands and just do what we're doing every single game. It's not going to be easy for them either."