Jon Dahl Tomasson has challenged Leopold Walhstedt to take his opportunity against Cardiff City as competition for the number one shirt heats up.

Aynsley Pears has started every Championship game this season after starting the season as first-choice. However, pressure has been building for Walhstedt to get an opportunity.

Blackburn Rovers fans believe Pears could've done better for several of Ipswich's four goals at Portman Road. With the summer signing yet to start in the league, there has been plenty of healthy debate about the goalkeeper spot.

Tomasson is expected to make 10 or 11 changes for the third-round tie and confirmed Walhstedt and Sondre Tronstad will get a much-needed chance to impress. He wants to see healthy competition in all areas of the squad and laid down the gauntlet to his players.

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"We had a great run last season where we rotated players, we rested players and we gave them opportunities to catch the eyes of the staff," he said. "There will be changes but we always go on the pitch to win the game.

"Some players are tired after a lot of games in a short period and there are players who need games to develop. For example, Leopold Walhstedt is playing his first game at Ewood and at a high level.

"It was always the plan to build him up slowly, get him used to the intensity of the league, that's necessary for a goalkeeper, get him used to our way of playing. Sondre Tronstad will also play tomorrow.

"He needs to get used to the league, the intensity of the league. So they are two players who need minutes and have a great chance to do the right things."

"First of all, we win and lose with each other, football is a game of mistakes," he said on Walhstedt specifically. "We build Leo up slowly because it is a different league than he is used to, we shouldn't forget that.

"This is the biggest game for him, ever, at the highest level. Harrogate was a nice game but this is a Championship game and an opportunity for the boy.

"He is also a new boy who has to get used to things and his surroundings. We watch every training session each day and it's about performing."

Tronstad has not started a Championship game since the opening day of the season against West Brom. He was left out of the squad entirely against Middlesbrough and Sunderland, though returned against Ipswich.

Tomasson believes the midfielder needs time to adapt to the intensity of the Championship and wants to see him handle the pace of the games. He did insist that it's perfectly normal and players coming from overseas deserve patience as they adapt.

"I want to see him cope with the intensity of the game, play forward," he said. "Good passes forwards, not backwards or sidewards.

"We shouldn't forget but when players come from abroad, it's a totally new ball game. The way of playing and people deserve time to adapt.

"When you start a new job you need to adapt. That's a part of life. It's the culture, everything.

"I have been in a lot of different cultures, you shouldn't forget the passion, intensity and passion in England. You can't compare. This league is much quicker and much better. He will get a good feeling how good this league is."