Striker Alan Lee says he’ll still be registered as a Town player next season, despite manager Mick McCarthy hoping that he doesn’t have to use him.

The 35-year-old frontman returned to the club last summer following his release by Huddersfield, ostensibly as an academy coach but was subsequently added to the squad as back-up to McCarthy's strike force.

The Irishman appeared regularly for the U21 side and featured in the first-team squad on a number of occasions but his only senior appearance came as a sub in the FA Cup replay at Preston.

“I think the boots for all intents and purposes were hung up last year but I think the club are still keeping my registration on,” he told TWTD following his success at yesterday’s Portman Cup.

“But as the manager said to me, he hopes and prays he never has to use me! And to be honest I’m beginning to agree with him.

“However, you never know. I’ll still be at the academy and I’ll probably keep myself fit training with the youth team because I think that’s a good way for them to learn, having a professional with my experience training with them.

“And Mark Kennedy sometimes needs a lame old centre-forward to fill in up front for the U21s for some dreaded away game. I’m happy to help out in any way. I’ll do whatever’s required of me at the club.”

He says his Portman Cup opposite number gave him the benefit of his years of experience as a coach and manager.

“Bryan Hamilton has been kind enough to give me some advice on my coaching career, he’s a legend in the game with everything he’s done,” Lee added.

“He gave me some tips on my coaching and told me I should keep working on my coaching and that you get what you put into it.

“I’m still doing my badges. I’ve so much to learn, I’m enthusiastic about it, I love being at Ipswich Town, but I realise the more time I spend the other side that experience is so valuable. I know I have a lot of work to do to be as good a coach as I can be.”

Photo: Action Images

Raving_Engineer added 15:40 - May 7 He'll always be blue, He'll always be bluuuuue, Lee took the skum down, He'll always be blue.
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TractorCam added 16:04 - May 7 Alan Lee, GOAL!
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Pessimistic added 16:30 - May 7 I have always liked Alan Lee and I am so pleased he is to remain with the Town a little bit longer.
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Garv added 17:13 - May 7 Most popular ever ex Norwich player?
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derbytractoryboy added 18:27 - May 7 Great guy! Chatted to him at the Bury Rugby 7's on Sunday and when I asked him if he would ever be pulling the town shirt on again he told me, "not if the gaffer has his way!" Confirmed he'd be registering for next year but unlikely to play. Also told me to keep it quiet, clearly wanted TWTD to have the exclusive!! I also asked him about Jack Marriott and made sure he told MM not to sell him like Rhodes but he couldn't see him ousting McGoal-drick or Murphs to start in August. Again, great player and took my Naarwich comment in good humour :)

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bluelady added 18:34 - May 7 thats great news i can sleep well now! Seriously though i was expecting maybe a cameo appearance on saturday from the bench would have been fitting i believe and i guarantee he would have had more chance of scoring than Nouble who had one of his 'off days' that appear slightly more than his 'on days'
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neillrumsey added 18:39 - May 7 Would still put Nouble to shame i think
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Luka added 07:38 - May 8 Lovely to see his passion for the club, if the players had even 1/10th of his passion, we're in business. Regarding the most popular ex-Narwich player, maybe Joe Royle?
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blueboy1981 added 18:35 - May 8 .......... may just be our only signing ......... !!! LOL - but not convinced otherwise.
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