One To Watch - Kevin Lisbie

Ipswich`s newest striker, Kevin Lisbie, celebrated his 30th birthday a couple of weeks ago. Lisbie was born in Hackney, London but has represented Jamaica at international level as well as having played at England U-18 level.

Lisbie spent most of his professional career at Charlton Athletic. However, he did have loan spells at several clubs during his twelve years as an Addics` player, including a very short period at QPR! He finally left Charlton for good when he joined Colchester United, on a free transfer, in 2007; before leaving them only one year later, in July 2008, to join Ipswich Town (for a fee of £600,000).

Lisbie joined Charlton Athletic`s academy and in 1996 he graduated to the first-team squad, at the tender age of 16, making his debut in a League Cup game against Burnley. In all, he made 155 appearances for the Addics, scoring 17 goals.

However, whilst at Charlton, Kevin Lisbie went out on loan to several clubs: Gillingham, Reading, Norwich and Derby. In December 2000, then QPR manager Ian Holloway brought Lisbie to the club on a month`s loan, as cover for injured striker Chris Kiwomya. He made two appearances for the Rs but failed to find the back of the net in either game!

Despite being joint second-highest scorer for Charlton in 2001/02, Lisbie was placed on the transfer list in February 2002 although it was not until August 2007 that he finally left the club for good. In his year at Colchester United, Lisbie made 42 appearances, scoring 17 goals; although his goals were not enough to help save the Us from relegation.

In July 2008, he moved to local rivals Ipswich Town for £600,000, despite the best efforts of the Us to keep him at Layer Road. Since joining Ipswich, Lisbie has made seven league starts as well as appearing seven times as substitute. He has also featured twice for the club in the League Cup, making a further appearance as sub. He has scored a total of 4 goals so far.

Although Lisbie has been plagued by injury throughout his career, he is nevertheless a very skilful and capable player. He is not necessarily the most prolific goal-scorer but he clearly knows where the net is as his year spent at Colchester United shows. He has played at the highest levels, famously scoring a hat-trick against Liverpool in September 2003, in front of the Sky TV cameras. And he is very quick - which could trouble the QPR defence if they are not careful!

Lisbie wears the number 11 shirt.

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