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.”