ALAN Lee has Shefki Kuqi and Darren Bent in his sights.The Blues' leading scorer took his goal tally for the season to 15 on Saturday at Luton but, with seven games to go, is aiming to reach the magical 20.

By Derek Davis

ALAN Lee has Shefki Kuqi and Darren Bent in his sights.

The Blues' leading scorer took his goal tally for the season to 15 on Saturday at Luton but, with seven games to go, is aiming to reach the magical 20.

That is the score that Kuqi reached when the Blues finished in third place two years ago, with Bent notching 19 that season.

With the Blues struggling in 16th spot at the moment, Lee's 15 goals so far this season represents a good return for the striker but he wants more.

He said: “It compares well to the team that were renowned for scoring goals in a season when they finished third and just missed out on promotion.

“I'm on 15 and don't want to stop there. I'm aiming for 20 goals. It is a milestone I have not reached before so it would be one I would be very proud off.”

Bent and Kuqi reached their tally in a side that also had Tommy Miller scoring 15 goals from midfield and it never seemed to matter, until the play-offs how many Town conceded.

The previous year Bent top scored with 17 goals when Pablo Counago, Miller and Kuqi all hit a dozen each. Counago had been the top scorer the year before with 19 goals and Bent one behind on 18.

But goals have been hard to come by for Ipswich in the past two seasons, with Nicky Forster hitting seven, followed by Darren Currie, Jimmy Juan and Sam Parkin on five each when Town finished 15th, their lowest league position since 1959.

Lee is a goal short of his best-ever season tally so far of 16 goals, which he hit for Rotherham in the 2002-03 season when they were in what is now called the Championship. He also picked up 14 bookings that season but will not want to beat that record.

The 28-year-old was dismissed against Southend, which meant him missing his sixth match of the season through injury and suspension, games he regrets not being available for, although he still feels he was unfairly treated against the Shrimpers.

Lee said: “I know I have cost myself by missing games through suspensions and that silly sending off.

“Although I protest my innocence, I'm sorry for getting sent off but I can assure you it was only through a desire to win.”

“I felt hard done by. I didn't curse referee and, when I questioned him, he said he didn't book for a dive and would now. I was pushed when I handled the ball in but I just have to get on with it.”

The handball was featured on Soccer Am in their 'Worse than Maradona' feature but Lee has seen the funny side and is now looking to be recognised for setting his own personal goal records.