KEVIN Lisbie today looked ahead to his Colchester United return and said: “I can't wait to play in front of people who appreciate me.”

Elvin King

KEVIN Lisbie today looked ahead to his Colchester United return and said: “I can't wait to play in front of people who appreciate me.”

The 30-year-old striker, who appeared to be off Ipswich Town manager Roy Keane's radar almost from day one of the current manager's reign, has joined the League One Essex-based side on a season-long loan.

He notched 17 goals for the U's in the 2007-08 campaign before being taken to Portman Road by Jim Magilton for �600,000 last close season.

Lisbie made 41 league appearances last term and scored six times, and had two years left on his contract with the Blues.

He said: “We were relegated when I was last at Colchester, which wasn't good but now I have a chance to get them back up.

“I can't wait to play in front of Colchester fans again and people that appreciate me.

“I'm comfortable going back to Colchester. That was the first thing that came into my head when I heard they were interested.

“The year I had with Colchester was probably better than anywhere else.

“I made a lot of friends - I want to enjoy playing football and that's why I'm going there.

“I hope I can score enough goals to get them promoted.”

Lisbie has spent all of his career in the top two divisions and revealed that he needed time to consider the prospect of playing in the third tier.

“Playing in League One was something I had to think about,” said Lisbie, who was originally signed by Colchester from Charlton Athletic in 2007.

“I wouldn't have dropped down if it hadn't been Colchester.

“I'm still an Ipswich player and they're in the Championship and still have two years left on my contract there.

“I watched the game at Ipswich in the Fabian Wilnis testimonial and felt that Colchester have a good chance of getting promoted.”

Lisbie says it will be strange playing at the 10,000 all-seater Weston Homes Community Stadium, adding: “I can't believe it - it's a lot different to Layer Road!

“It feels like a different club and the facilities are amazing.”

With Lisbie and Rhodes gone, and Pablo Counago set to follow suit, Keane is ready to pounce for a new striker before the Championship season starts at Coventry on Sunday.

And Macedonian international midfielder Veliche Shumulikoski looks on his way out of Portman Road.

Preston have agreed a fee believed to be �400,000, and their manager Alan Irvine said: “I'm hoping a couple of things will be happening before the end of the week.

“Transfers take so long these days. They should be easy but unfortunately they aren't.”

The arrival of new faces would be welcomed by Irvine and Preston fans alike.

For the Hibernian game at the weekend, only 17 senior players were available.

Liam Trotter for the suspended Colin Healy is expected to be the only Ipswich change on Sunday from the side that began against Spanish visitors Real Vallalodid on Friday.

Watford striker Tamas Priskin is still believed to be in Keane's sights although Watford have confirmed no bid has been made.