Colchester striker Kevin Lisbie has confirmed that he is close moving to Portman Road. The former Charlton man could sign as soon as today and join the rest of the Town squad in Belfast for the remainder of the pre-season tour.

Lisbie said: "It's not all sorted yet, but I've had a medical and I believe that I've played my last game for Colchester.

"It's just up to my representative to finalise the terms. It's not confirmed yet, but when everyone is happy and all the negotiations are done, then I should be signing for Ipswich.”

The 29-year-old scored 17 goals for the U's during last year's relegation season after moving from Charlton last summer. Barnsley and Burnley also recently showed an interest in Lisbie, however, the Hackney-born striker is very keen to remain in the south.

The 5ft 8in tall frontman has two years left on his contract with the U's, but there is a clause in his deal which allows him to leave for a fee believed to be around £600,000.

The former Norwich loanee is best known by Town fans for an incident which led to Sito being shown a red card during the Portman Road derby in the 2005/06 season, a dismissal which was overturned on appeal, and also a stunning goal at Portman Road in 2001. The 85th minute 30-yarder gave Charlton a 1-0 win early in what was to turn out to be Town's relegation season.

During his 12-year spell with Charlton, Lisbie also spent time on loan with Gillingham, Reading, QPR and Derby.

Town are also reportedly still in the hunt for Crewe's Nicky Maynard. The Cheshire club have apparently valued the 21-year-old frontman at £2 million and have said that they wouldn't stand in the promising striker's way if an offer came in which interested the player.

Meanwhile, midfielder Gary Roberts says he is aiming to change Jim Magilton's mind during pre-season after the Town boss transfer-listed him earlier in the summer. Roberts was impressive against Cliftonville on Monday and says he is doing everything he can to back a place in the first team: "I have got my head down and if that works then great, if not then I will move on and go to a different club but I'm hoping to change his mind.

"I have a good relationship with the manager. It is not like we have fallen out. I just had a bad season, so it is up to me to put it right.”

Since the winger was made available former club Accrington Stanley and Crewe, where he spent time on loan last season, have shown interest.

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