IPSWICH Town striker Alan Lee last night ended speculation that he might be leaving Portman Road.

Elvin King

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Town striker Alan Lee last night ended speculation that he might be leaving Portman Road.

The 29-year-old, who signed a contract extension last season, has again been linked with a move away from the Blues.

And with manager Jim Magilton confirming that he is setting his sights on bringing in a 'proven goalscorer' Lee has again become the subject of talk that he might be on his way from Suffolk.

But Lee, who starts training with the rest of his team mates at the Blues training ground today is adamant that he is staying. He said: “I am not in the slightest bit interested in leaving Ipswich Town.

“It is flattering to be linked with other clubs, but I have no thoughts at all about leaving.

“Over the last two years or so I have stressed enough times how much I love being here. And this has not changed.”

Lee, who scored 12 goals last season following 17 the season before, has his heart set on playing in the Premier League.

“This is what I dream of doing and it would be a big achievement to do that next season as the Coca-Cola Championship will be tough one to gain promotion from,” added Lee.

“It would be special in itself for me. It would be even more special to achieve it with Ipswich Town.”

There is an extra expectancy at Portman Road this season with owner Marcus Evans now having his feet under the table following his takeover last December.

Chairman David Sheepshanks' plunge to a non-executive position is the most high profile of the moves taking place at the club with Evans making no secret that reaching the lucrative Premier League is a must.

“Big things will be expected,” said Lee. “And I expect big things to happen.

“We missed out on the play-offs by one point last season and we showed signs towards the end of 2007/08 that we can dramatically improve our away record.”

Lee, David Wright and Danny Haynes wore a new Marcus Evans-sponsored shirt for the first time public yesterday when they helped open the 84-bed Barchester Alice Grange care home in Ropes Drive, Kesgrave.

elvin.king@archant.co.uk