KEVIN Lisbie would love to score for Ipswich tonight but won't be celebrating if he does.

Derek Davis

KEVIN Lisbie would love to score for Ipswich tonight but won't be celebrating if he does.

The Blues striker wants to grab his third goal in five games, even if one of those was arguably an own goal by Burnley defender Graham Alexander, but has too much respect for Colchester United and their supporters to rub their noses in it.

Although he could not stop them being relegated, Lisbie hit 17 goals for the U's last season and made a lot of new friends on and off the pitch.

Lisbie said: “I have more friends at Colchester after just one year than I made in ten years at Charlton so that tells you a lot.

“I hope I do get a good reaction from the Colchester fans because I did my best for them last year. Not just my goals but my all-round contribution.”

Initially Lisbie did not want to play the U's at all but another home defeat in the league has changed his perception of things.

He said: “At first I wasn't sure I wanted to be involved but after losing against Wolves I really want to play because we are desperate for a win.

“I want to score and do well because we don't want to lose two games in a row at home.

“I have a lot of affinity for Colchester but there is no problem about me playing them if the gaffer picks me. I will be desperate to score a few goals but I will not be celebrating if I score.

“I have too much respect for the club and the supporters so if I do score I won't celebrate.”

The Blues will be looking for a repeat of the league Cup win in the first round against Leyton Orient just three days after losing at Portman Road to Preston.

Lisbie said: “We go into this game knowing we need to win. After losing against Wolves and it being Colchester as well, no other result will do.

“I wouldn't say it batters your confidence (losing twice in a row at home) but in the back of your mind it is there but if we get off to a good start then we will be alright.”

The mind games began almost as soon as the draw was made but for all the banter Lisbie warns that the League One side are to be respected.

He said: “There have been a few texts flying around before the game but on the day of the match there won't be any.

“They have a lot of very good players that will be dangerous.

“Clive Platt is a handful and was for every defence last year and I'm told Steve Gillespie is a very good finisher.

“Mark Yeates, Johnnie Jackson, and so it goes on, they are all good players.

“I have trained with those lads day in, day out so I know how good they are and if they get it right they will be a handful.”

To add injury to insult in the defeat by Wolves an old Colchester team-mate in George Elokobi suffered a suspected torn ligament and cartilage.

Lisbie said: “I wanted to go over and see him but he looked in pain. I wish George well and a speedy recovery. I will be praying he recovers quickly.”

There is no guarantee that Lisbie will start as manager Jim Magilton looks to make a raft of changes from Saturday's defeat.

Iván Campo could make his debut as he looks to get some match fitness while Jordan Rhodes and Dean Bowditch both look to put pressure on the main strikers.

David Wright and David Norris have been pencilled in but it is more likely they will both play in a behind-closed-doors game tomorrow afternoon to gauge their fitness.

Tonight's squads

Ipswich Town: Supple, R Wright, Bruce, Balkestein, Casement, Thatcher, Robinson, Naylor, Smith, McAuley, Campo, Haynes, Walters, Garvan, Trotter, Quinn, Bowditch, Rhodes, Lisbie, Counago, Lee.

Colchester United: Gerken, White, Reid, Heath, Lockwood, Yeates, Jackson, D Hammond, Elito, Platt, Vernon, Ifil, Coyne, Perkins, Wordsworth, Wasiu, Izzet, J Hammond, Gillespie, Cousins.