Kev Wants New U’s Deal

Colchester United goal-getter Kevin Lisbie revealed, following the U’s 1-1 draw with Leicester, that he is ready to ‘sort out a new deal’.

The ex-Charlton front-man has notched seventeen goals this season, but that has not proved enough to stop the U’s being condemned to League One football next term.

At full-time Lisbie told BBC Essex: ‘I’m not going to start saying that I want to leave, although of course I want to play at the highest level possible. I’d like to sort out a new deal.

‘For me to leave, it would have to mean two clubs coming together, Colchester United and another club. I still have two years on my contract. If it happens, then it happens.

‘I always knew that if I was allowed to play games, then I would score goals. It was just a matter of time. I just needed to prove it, rather than just say it until I was blue in the face,’ he explained.

After signing on a Bosman free last summer, the Jamaican has enjoyed the most fruitful season of his career: ‘This has been the best season of my career, in terms of scoring goals. I never played that many games for Charlton.’

The U’s number 20 was impressed with his sides performance: ‘We weathered the storm, and defended very well in the first half. I thought it was a good performance from us today.

‘We did not want to just come here and get rolled over. Leicester played three up front, and they thought that they could beat us comfortably and then go home.

‘It wasn’t difficult to work ourselves up for this game, despite being relegated, because we are professionals and we know how lucky we are to be playing.’

Lisbie met Johnnie Jackson’s floated cross to head the U’s in front, but Iain Hume leveled with just a minute left on the clock to deny the visitors victory.

Lisbie added: ‘I thought we were going to get all three points. Johnnie Jackson has a great left foot and it was a great cross. I thought the keeper was going to smash into me, but it was such a good cross from Johnnie that he couldn’t get there.

‘I would have needed shooting if I didn’t score from that position. As soon as I scored, I wanted to run over and thank him (Jackson).’