Steve Whitton will be looking to the youth and enthusiasm of Karl Duguid and the skill and experience of Richard Wilkins to keep Colchester United on the winning trail against promotion-chasing Stoke City.

Effervescent 21-year-old striker Duguid handed his boss a perfect pre-match present when signing a new two-and-a-half-year contract after training today (Friday).

And play-anywhere skipper Wilkins, 34, was back to his best with an eye-catching performance in the tremendous one-goal win at Wigan last Saturday following a two-month lay-off through injury.

Whitton said: "Both Dugy and Wilkie are very important to the team. Their attitude and commitment to the club is a tremendous boost for me before two massive home games."

Whitton said: "Dugy is a young lad who is improving all the time. Nobody in the club works harder than he does and we have rewarded him with a good new contract.

"At the other end of the scale, a club like us is always going to miss a player of Wilkie's calibre when he's missing from the side.

"It was great to see him back to somewhere near his best at Wigan last week and his combination with new boy Ross Johnson at the heart of our defence worked like a dream.

"When someone like Ross becomes available on a free transfer we'd have been stupid not to have snapped him up.

"Things are beginning to look good again after our slip-ups against Reading and Bury and if we can keep our standards up, which to be fair to the lads they have done but for those two matches, then I'm sure we will continue to move forward.

"The sooner we reach our target of 52 points everything from then on will be a bonus."

Tickets are already selling fast for next Saturday's attractive home clash with Burnley who should field their latest signing, former England, Arsenal, West Ham and Celtic striker Ian Wright.

Popular U's midfielder Gavin Johnson will be presented with his Matchman of the Month award for his outstanding performances throughout January before Saturday's game.

U's youth team continue their South East Alliance programme with a home match against Leyton Orient on Saturday morning, kick-off 11am.

Back with a bang - Richard Wilkins

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