KEVIN Lisbie is so determined to do well for Ipswich Town this season he has got an apartment near to the ground.

Derek Davis

KEVIN Lisbie is so determined to do well for Ipswich Town this season he has got an apartment near to the ground.

Not an unreasonable thing to do but the move from south London is not something Lisbie even contemplated two months ago.

While Roy Keane insisted all players should live within easy travelling distance of the training ground, Lisbie told me in May he did not want to uproot his family from the capital.

He was even reluctant to move into a flat, either bought or rented, as he did not want to be away from his wife and children.

But now the 30-year-old striker has compromised and shown his devotion to the cause by preparing to move into a base in the centre of Ipswich.

Lisbie revealed: “I'm just getting by right now and I have not spoken to the gaffer about it as yet. I have got an apartment in Ipswich now and we will see how that goes for now.”

The uncertainty prompted a couple of clubs to monitor the situation, with his former club Colchester reported to have shown an interest in re-signing him, not something Lisbie is aware of.

When Keane revealed that Town had accepted a bid for the former Charlton striker who played in a Town XI against Clacton last night, many assumed it was for Lisbie but he has no plans to leave.

He said: “I have no plans to move on. I have two years left and if anything does happen it won't be down to me wanting to go.”

After his �600,000 switch from the U's, Lisbie hit seven goals for Town last season but all bar the consolation on the opening day against Preston, came away from home, and the last was at Crystal Palace in January, so Lisbie is looking to do better in front of the home crowd this year.

He added: “I would love to score far more at home this season. Even if I don't get as many away from I want to score loads at Portman Road. That is my main aim this season.”

An early goal in the 3-0 win at Waterford last Friday boosted his confidence and Lisbie has been enthusiastic about the close season training.

He said: “I'm feeling very good. I enjoyed the game against Waterford and it was good to get off the mark with a goal there.

“As a striker you want to score as many as you can and for me that is the same even in pre-season or training. I'm feeling a lot sharper already, sharper than I have done for along time in fact.

“The pre-season we have had has been a lot different to ones I had had before. Things are a lot sharper and I feel I have benefited from that.”

His first opportunity to win over the home fans starts tomorrow when Town take on Colchester United in a friendly that doubles up as Fabian Wilnis' testimonial.

Lisbie said: “I know Fabian well. I have played against him a few times and know him reasonably well and he is a top man.

“I hope it goes well for him on Saturday and he gets a big crowd.

“I'm looking forward to the Colchester game and hope I'm involved. I still know a few people there and it will be good to see them again.”

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk