ECSTATIC Blues boss Joe Royle has tipped striker Alan Lee to regain his place in the Republic of Ireland squad.After scoring twice for Town at Southampton and putting on a master-class in centre-forward play Royle is convinced Lee will soon become part of Steve Staunton and Sir Bobby Robson's plans with the Republic.

By Derek Davis

ECSTATIC Blues boss Joe Royle has tipped striker Alan Lee to regain his place in the Republic of Ireland squad.

After scoring twice for Town at Southampton and putting on a master-class in centre-forward play Royle is convinced Lee will soon become part of Steve Staunton and Sir Bobby Robson's plans with the Republic.

Royle said: “Alan could have had four or five so I was delighted with him.

“He has taken two hard chances fantastically well and their three central defenders came off knowing they have been in game.

“There is more to come from him too, when he gets fully fit. I would like to see him get back to the sort of form that made him an international. If he continues to play as he did against Southampton then he has every chance of a recall.”

Ipswich secured Lee in a £150,000 deal from Cardiff and are now looking to find him a strike partner.

Royle said: “People have seen why we bought him. He is 6'3'' with pace and he is not frightened of running at people.

“We do need to find a partner for Alan, I don't envisage us playing with just one real striker forever.”

Nicky Forster is in training, along with Adam Proudlock, who will play for the reserves against West Ham tomorrow, so they may soon be able to link up with Lee in attack.

The only fly in the ointment for Town was that Lee, and Jimmy Juan, both picked up bookings and will miss the Leeds United match tomorrow week.

Royle was livid at the caution handed to his striker.

He said: “Alan has been booked for asking why he wasn't given anything for being fouled. I'm bamboozled by that, although I don't know what we can do about it.”

Royle would not let that spoil his day and was fulsome in his praise for the whole team.

He said: “We were tight, right and together. We withstood an aerial bombardment and our centre-halves were outstanding.”

The win was their second in an unbeaten sequence of four league games but Royle is not getting carried away.

“We need points to keep alive our faint play-off hopes but we are not looking that far ahead,” he said.

Gavin Williams suffered a head injury and was still dazed after the game but with no game for 10 days, the Town squad have time to recuperate.