KEVIN Lisbie will see out his season-long loan at Colchester United - unless Ipswich Town can find a buyer for him this month.

Stuart Watson

KEVIN Lisbie will see out his season-long loan at Colchester United - unless Ipswich Town can find a buyer for him this month.

Town boss Roy Keane had originally stated that he would be exercising his right to recall the 31-year-old striker at the start of the January transfer window with view to a sale, while he then went on to suggest that he might also consider putting the reluctant player back in the Ipswich team.

Aidy Boothroyd admitted that the League One club were likely be priced out of a permanent move for their top goalscorer and, anticipating his departure, the U's boss left an available Lisbie out of his squad for their FA Cup trip to Preston last Saturday.

However, Ipswich have now reportedly told Colchester that Lisbie - who yesterday informed the EADT that his Town ties 'were broken a long time ago' - can remain at his beloved Essex club under the terms of his original season-long loan deal.

Ipswich may well have changed their mind over Lisbie's recall following their ability to extend Crystal Palace striker Stern John's loan deal. The Suffolk club will now continue to try and find a buyer for unwanted asset Lisbie for the remainder of the January transfer window.

“I was delighted to get the call from Ipswich to say that Kevin could continue with us,” said Boothroyd, after Lisbie reported for training at the Weston Homes Community Stadium this morning.

“The situation is ongoing but he is with us now until the end of the season unless Ipswich tell us otherwise.

“That's the matter closed as far as I am concerned, until it is open again!”

Lisbie should now be available for Colchester's League One trip to Yeovil on Saturday, while he is hopeful of still being at the Weston Homes Community Stadium for the highly anticipated visit of East Anglian rivals Norwich on January 16.