Colchester United boss Aidy Boothroyd has reiterated his desire to keep Kevin Lisbie.

But the U’s boss is also planning for life without the on-loan Ipswich Town star.

Town boss Roy Keane wants to recall Lisbie from his season-long loan at Colchester in January.

Lisbie - set to return to the Colchester line-up at Oldham Athletic on Saturday - has been in fine form for the U’s this season.

Colchester boss Boothroyd would love to hang on to the former Charlton Athletic man.

However, he has stressed that he must plan for all eventualities - and that includes losing Lisbie from the Weston Homes Community Stadium in January.

Boothroyd said: “Ipswich have said that they want him back in January and we can’t do anything about that.

“What we have to make sure is that we have a plan - whether we have got him or we haven’t got him.

“We’re not a one-man team and there’s a squad of 20-odd players who will testify to that.”

For a full preview of Colchester United’s game at Oldham Athletic on Saturday, see tomorrow’s Gazette.