FLYING winger Lee Martin is ready to finally prove himself to Ipswich Town fans after revealing Roy Keane’s cold shoulder left his confidence in a fragile state.

The 24-year-old is the first to admit he hasn’t justified his �1.5m price tag to the Portman Road faithful yet following a fragmented two seasons in Suffolk.

Rejuvenated under new boss Paul Jewell this summer though he followed up an eye-catching pre-season with his first competitive goal in nearly two years during the 3-0 opening day rout at Bristol City last weekend.

Speaking ahead of today’s visit of Hull City, he said: “Have I shown Ipswich fans what I can do yet? Of course not, but there’s things that go on in and around the club that people won’t see.

“As a player, when you’ve been in obscurity, it’s hard to get your confidence back up when you’re playing cameo roles and under pressure to prove yourself.”

The former Manchester United trainee, who spent much of last season on loan at League One side Charlton Athletic, continued: “You’d like to say ‘yeah, I’m really strong mentally and all that stuff’, but I’ll admit there were times when I came home and maybe did start doubting my ability a little bit.

“Wingers particularly thrive on confidence and the gaffer (Jewell) has now given me the best opportunity I could ask for. He encourages me to express myself.

“I’ve come back with a real hunger and hopefully it’s now onwards and upwards.”

He added: “I think the players that were there under the Keane regime were a little bit on edge. I wasn’t there for much of it, but when I came back from Charlton the lads did seem a little bit down.

“The gaffer (Jewell) has done brilliant though, he’s turned it back around and the lads are really pulling together.”

– For packed match previews, see today’s EADT and Evening Star.