Former favourite Alan Lee refuses to rule out the possibility of returning to action for Town — even if he admits his chances are slim.

The 35-year-old former Republic of Ireland international is back at Portman Road, where he netted 34 times in 109 appearances after then boss Joe Royle signed him from Cardiff City in January 2006.

He left for Crystal Palace in August 2008 and then - after a brief but controversial loan spell at Norwich - went on to play for Huddersfield, who released him at the end of last season.

Lee has re-joined Town as an academy coach but has also been signed by boss Mick McCarthy on a non-contract basis, leaving the door open to a possible first team return.

But with strikers David McGoldrick, Daryl Murphy, Frank Nouble and Paul Taylor, as well as academy graduate Jack Marriott, all vying for places Lee accepts his opportunities appear remote.

He said: “I realise there are far better players ahead of me and I have been impressed with their quality. But I realise I can maybe help with my experience and maybe I offer something different playing-wise.”

Lee could not conceal his delight at being welcomed back into the Town fold, adding: “I feel absolutely blessed the way everything has worked out and I am so grateful for the opportunity to do my coaching education.

“Now I’m also registered as a player I might get a chance to be used as a bit of cover. It’s so good to be back. I’m so happy.

“Did I expect to be registered as a player? No, not initially. I had options to carry on playing but that was elsewhere.

“It wasn’t injury or anything that stopped me signing for another club. It was time to get back home.

“We had just had our first child and I really wasn’t ready to move to another part of the country again.

“So we said ‘That’s it, let’s up sticks and get back down to Suffolk’. The opportunity arose and it has worked out.

“We have colonised Suffolk. My brother lives down here with his wife and works in London, and my mum and dad are living here as well.”

Photo: Action Images

LankHenners added 07:23 - Sep 13 I honestly do not see why his chances should be slim. He said it himself - he offers something different and something's obviously not quite working at the minute so why not give him a few games?
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Fatcatevans added 07:59 - Sep 13 First use of the word slim in an article on Alan Lee! Like him to be on the bench soon tho
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chorltonskylineblue added 08:00 - Sep 13 I don't think he's the answer to our scoring problems, but there's very little pressure on him, he had a pretty good scoring record for us (and most other clubs he's been at). Feels like he provides an option. Maybe when we're winning and need to hold on to that lead. He's a great header of the ball and knows how to hold the play up front. Throw him on in the scond half when we need him?

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TR11BLU added 08:33 - Sep 13 'But with strikers David McGoldrick, Daryl Murphy, Frank Nouble and Paul Taylor, as well as academy graduate Jack Marriott, all vying for places Lee accepts his opportunities appear remote' I disagree and McGoldrick apart view this as the reason he has been signed. We are weak up front. He had a good strike rate with us, has scored goals throughout his career and with the lack of a decent striker being signed, I would play him with McGoldrick tomorrow. Welcome back Alan.

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WadeyBlue added 09:19 - Sep 13 I would deffo put him on the bench against Yeovil on Tuesday.
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Guthrum added 09:28 - Sep 13 Could he be our Kevin Phillips?
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irishtim added 09:34 - Sep 13 Can only help the striker's we have with his experience. May get the odd game. Would like young Jack to get a chance soon.
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algarvefan added 11:18 - Sep 13 Welcome back Alan, go on son show the buggers how it's done, should be on the bench for me every week!!!!
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SouperJim added 11:37 - Sep 13 Call me sentimental, but I just want him to get back on the Portman Road pitch even just once, so I can be part of the rousing chorus of "always believing you'll score" from the north stand. He was a fantastic player for us.
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