Colchester United have told Kevin Lisbie they will do their utmost to keep him at the club beyond January.

Ipswich Town manager Roy Keane has said the striker will be recalled from his season-long loan spell in the next transfer window, after Town elected to take up their call-back option.

However, both Colchester chairman Robbie Cowling and manager Aidy Boothroyd have assured Lisbie that they will fight to retain his services.

Boss Boothroyd has urged Lisbie to knuckle down and continue to help the U's in their quest to win promotion from Coca-Cola League One.

Lisbie told the Gazette: “I've spoken to the gaffer (Boothroyd) about it and he told me to get my head down.

“There are still two months to go until January and who knows what will happen in that time?

“I just want to be a part of this team right now because I think that we can get promoted.”

Lisbie admitted Keane's comments, which came just hours before Colchester's 1-1 draw at Wycombe Wanderers, were “a bit upsetting”.

“It was a little bit unsettling to hear those comments before the match,” said Lisbie, who celebrated his 31st birthday on Saturday.

“But I've been around for a while.

“I'm at Colchester to try and get them promoted so hearing that I'm going to be pulled back in January regardless, no matter what I think, was a bit upsetting but you have to stay professional.

“I'm sure he picks the times that he wants to say things but it's over now and we'll see if I do go back in January.”

U's manager Boothroyd has refused to become embroiled in a war of words with Keane over the Lisbie situation.

Boothroyd said: “I have opinions on the subject but if I get involved in any tittle-tattle I wouldn't be representing the union if I said what I thought, so I won't.

“At the end of the day, Kevin Lisbie is Ipswich's player and whatever they decide to do, they will do.

“If you asked Kevin, he would tell you that he likes it at Colchester.

“He's part of something that we think is going to be very special that we're building.”

Meanwhile, Lisbie thanked the U's fans who sang 'happy birthday' to him during the Wycombe game.

He added: “They've been excellent for me and I really appreciated the birthday chants!

“I think the fans know that I appreciate them and they appreciate me.

“I could have moved to other places (in the summer) but I wanted to come to Colchester because of them and the club.”