U's midfielder Kem Izzet is relishing the battle for places in the heart of the club's midfield.

The January additions of Ian Henderson and David Prutton makes it a challenge to get into the side at present.

However, the long serving midfielder is pleased to be tested, telling the East Anglian Daily Times: "Competition for places is good, it keeps people on their toes.

"Everyone knows here that if they don't knuckle down then they won't keep their shirt.

"At the moment I feel as though my form is decent, the manager seems to like me at the moment but football changes really quickly and I have got to make sure I don't get complacent.

"He's asked me to play a different role sitting in front of the back four and it's the role I played at Charlton before I came to Colchester.

"I'm not going to say it's easy, but it's a lot easier than trying to get forward and score goals."