Midfield general Kevin Watson is looking forward to getting stuck in with his new lieutenant Johnnie Jackson.

The commanding Colchester United player was back in pre-season training this week, and is already full of praise for new-boy Jackson, who signed for the U's last month on a two-year-deal from Premiership side Tottenham Hotspur.

Watson, a fellow former Spurs trainee, said: "He's got good pedigree.

"It's good to have him on board and he certainly looks up to speed.

"He's played in the Premiership and having him here is going to give us plenty of healthy competition in midfield, with Kem Izzet also sniffing for a place."