IPSWICH TOWN: Lee Bowyer admits that he only has himself to blame after missing three weeks with a hamstring injury.

The midfielder’s tenacity has been lacking from Ipswich Town’s midfield while the player himself is still two or three weeks away from full match fitness – despite starting against Blackpool in Town’s last match.

But he has revealed that the injury dates back to the end of last season at Birmingham with him failing to heed the warnings throughout the summer.

He explained: “It was probably my own fault really. I did it at the end of last season and I never strengthened it throughout the summer.

“I just thought it would be OK, but then obviously it got a bit tired and I ended up pulling it again at Southampton.”

Now after making an unexpected start against the Seasiders, a frustrated Bowyer is looking to find his fitness – and form – starting with tonight’s match against Coventry City.

And having watched games from the stands, as well as a patrolling the middle of the park, the 34-year-old can see signs of slow progress.

He said: “It is going to take time. We have brought Danny (Collins) in and it has made us look a lot more solid so hopefully we can start pushing on now and start winning.

“No one likes losing – no one more than us – but the crowd are just going to have to bear with us a little, though I know it’s hard. It is a long old season. We have only had five or six games and there are still a lot of points to play for.”

Before the season started, Bowyer was identified by a poll in this newspaper as an ideal captain, but he now has to win over fans following an indifferent start to life in Suffolk.

But he feels he still has a key role to play on the pitch, adding: “In the dressing room, I’m not really one of those ranters and ravers and start shouting – I do most of my talking on the pitch. I am an experienced player and I try and organise and help players.”

Bowyer can certainly guide others having experienced many highs and lows during, at times, a tempestuous career.

But he admitted: “I just try and learn. Each manager you play under, you learn things. Young kids nowadays don’t realise how lucky they are. I am still learning now and I am 34. You have to take things on board, even if it is a negative, you can try and turn it into a positive.”