COLCHESTER United manager Aidy Boothroyd says he hopes he can get through on Roy Keane's phone number very soon so that they can discuss the future of Kevin Lisbie.

Stuart Watson

COLCHESTER United manager Aidy Boothroyd says he hopes he can get through on Roy Keane's phone number very soon so that they can discuss the future of Kevin Lisbie.

The U's currently have the 31-year-old striker on a season-long loan from their Suffolk neighbours, but Keane has signalled his intention to call back his asset for sale in January.

Following Colchester's win over Bristol Rovers last Saturday, Lisbie reiterated his desire to remain at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, while Boothroyd admitted that he would like to keep his top-goalscorer at the club.

Keane responded by saying that he'd had no contact from Colchester over Lisbie, for which Boothroyd has now offered his explanation.

The U's boss said: “I have clearly got to make contact with Roy (Keane) about it. I do have a number for him but as yet I haven't been able to get hold of him on it. He's a reasonable sort of guy though and hopefully we can move forward.

“I think Kevin Lisbie is a terrific player and I'd like to keep him, but the bottom line is that Kevin Lisbie earns a Championship salary and that really he's a Championship stroke Premiership player.

“We know we are very lucky to have him, but at the same time he is lucky to have us as well and he knows that.

“In the meantime we have got to make sure we get him fired up and scoring goals for us.”