Karl Duguid believes playing in a settled position has helped him achieve the best form of his Colchester United career.

The U's playmaker has spent the bulk of this season at right-back or right wing-back, in the absence of the injured Joe Dunne.

And his consistently dazzling form resulted in Duguid signing a new two-year contract at Layer Road on Monday.

The 23-year-old, now in his eighth season with Colchester, said: "I certainly feel this is the best form of my career and that's because I've been playing regularly in the same position.

"I've never had a settled role during my time with the club and that makes it difficult to become consistent.

"Now I feel I've established myself as a wing-back, something which is quite ironic considering the way I was feeling in the summer.

"To be honest, I wasn't sure where I was going to fit in. But, from an entirely selfish point of view, Joe's injury was the best thing to happen for me."

Duguid added: "Playing at right wing-back has been particularly enjoyable because it gives me a licence to get forward. I'm at my best when I'm running into space.

"I feel the new contract has been a reward for the way I've been playing.

"It's good to have that extra security and pleasing because I can put the subject to the back of my mind. The only thing I want to concentrate on now is my football."

Colchester were due to entertain Northampton Town this afternoon in the Avon Insurance Reserve League at Layer Road.

Ross Johnson and David Gregory were on course to continue their comebacks from injury, while also set for run-outs were youth-teamers Triston Chambers, Marc Canham and Glenn Williamson.

Ivory Coast-born triallist Patrice Tano will be looking to impress as he plays his second game for the U's.

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Published Wednesday, February 20, 2002