LEE Bowyer – a man who unashamedly calls himself ‘a winner’ – doesn’t intend on sticking around in the Championship with Ipswich Town.

The up-and-coming campaign will be the first time in the 34-year-old’s 19-season career that he has been employed by a club outside the top flight.

And while the released Birmingham midfielder turned down offers to stay in the Premier League to join Paul Jewell’s Portman Road revolution, he is quick to insist it was not with the intention of winding down his career.

“I’m a winner and the manager is a winner too,” said Bowyer, speaking ahead of Ipswich’s game at Dutch side Den Bosch tonight (6pm).

“I had other options, but when I met the manager he really sold his ambitions to me for next season.

“Yes, I’ve dropped down to the Championship, but I’m playing for a side that wants to get in the Premier League.”

It seems a long time ago since Bowyer was playing in a Champions League semi-final with Leeds, but the veteran midfielder – who helped Birmingham lift the Carling Cup earlier this year – believes retirement could still be a long way off.

He said: “Last season my fitness was as good as, if not better, than those around me, so who knows how long I’ll keep playing?

“I’ve signed a one-year deal with the option of a second and that’s definitely something I’ll look to take up.

“Then we’ll see what happens. Hopefully by then we’ll be in the Premier League and the manager will want to keep me on.”

Bowyer hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons at the start of his career, but the Essex-based player is now a settled family man.

“Show me a man who’s never made a mistake,” said Jewell. “We’ve beaten a number of clubs to get Lee and we’re delighted to have him here.”