Lee handed Shefki's 32 shirt

Lee's workrate is described as similar to Kuqi's and Royle wants to kick-start the Republic of Ireland forwards career, after a stale spell at Cardiff, much in the same way he did Kuqi's: "Nicky Forster and Sam Parkin will look forward to playing with him, and if we can start hitting the back of the net we can move up the Championship table.

“Alan has always done well against us, although his time at Cardiff has not gone as well as he would have liked.

“Like Shefki Kuqi we plan to kick-start his career. He does not have the same pace, but Alan can run all day like the Finn,” said Joe Royle.

Alan Lee will run out at Portman Road in his number 32 shirt against Sheffield United this Saturday, where he is expected to go straight into the starting line-up.

The East Anglian Daily Times has reported that there is a proviso in his Town contract that it can be extended by a further year - and for the fee to rise by £50,000 if certain contingencies are met.