ALAN Lee has revealed how living in Dedham inspired him to produce the best football of his career for Ipswich Town.

Now the striker, who still lives on the Essex/Suffolk border, is preparing to return to Portman Road – except this time in the yellow and green of Norwich City.

Lee is part of a select group to have played for both East Anglian rivals, having recently joined the Canaries on loan from Crystal Palace.

And he admits one of the main attractions of the move was being able to keep his home in Dedham and come back for weekends from a flat in London.

“I love this part of the world,” he said.

“It helped me play the best football of my career at Ipswich and I’m sure it’ll do the same at Norwich.

“East Anglia is a wonderful place to live and I feel really settled here.

“I’ve lived all over the place but here now feels like home.

“I’ve got lots of friends and the quality of life is tip-top.

“I can get in my car and drive to the training ground in little over an hour, which is great.”

Lee joined Ipswich from Cardiff City in January 2006.

He then headed for Selhurst Park in August 2008 but feels he deserved more, when effectively shown the door at Portman Road.

“I’m not anybody’s mug,” he said.

“I didn’t want to leave but felt I didn’t have a choice.

“If you’re not wanted it’s best to get out of it.

“That’s how football is, but I felt I did enough to deserve more.”

Lee, who scored against Ipswich for Palace earlier in the season, has already admitted he will have no qualms about celebrating if he nets on Sunday.

He admits he will enjoy the moment and said: “If I put the ball between two coats in the back yard I celebrate.

“You score a goal and it’s the best feeling.

“People might look at my return and think it’ll give me extra pleasure if I score, but it would be for my team mates – and for our fans who pay their money.”

Lee, 30, is unsure what the long-term future holds for him but, for now, is just happy to feel so settled at Carrow Road.

“It’s hard to say what’ll happen after my loan period is over but Norwich are a great club and I’m really enjoying it there,” said the Republic of Ireland striker.

“I really want to make a difference and keep them in the Championship.”