It is testament not to only to John White’s ability but also his durability that he has now completed 200 league appearances for Colchester United.

The popular defender has certainly come a long way since Phil Parkinson handed him his U’s debut back in 2004, at the tender age of 18.

Now 25, White is currently a regular in the Colchester side but that has not always been the case.

Indeed, he has spent time away from the club on loan at Stevenage and Southend United and was forced to consider his options when Paul Lambert left him out of a pre-season trip to Germany, in the summer of 2009.

But it is a sign of White’s professionalism and discipline that he overcame what was a difficult period in his career to not only remain at his beloved U’s but also go on to establish himself once again as a first-team regular.

Versatility can often be more of a hindrance than a blessing in football.

But White has used his flexibility to his advantage, playing all across the back four during his time at the U’s.

The fact that the former Thurstable School pupil has made the left-back slot his own over recent weeks ahead of both Ben Coker and Michael Rose says much about his reliability and dependability as a footballer.

Much has been said and written over recent weeks about Colchester’s drive to bring talented youngsters through from their youth system, in the coming years.

The progress of the likes of White, Anthony Wordsworth and Mark Cousins is evidence that young footballers can rise through the ranks and make it at first-team level.

But as U’s manager John Ward commented in his glowing praise of White last week, it is crucial that they have the right attitude and conduct themselves in the right manner, both on and off the pitch.

Having recently become a father, White is clearly settled off the pitch and that is sometimes as important as being a consistent performer on it.

With his versatility, ability and diligence, who would bet against the likable defender going on to emulate his team-mates Karl Duguid and Kem Izzet and make it to 400 league appearances, in the coming years?

See Tuesday's Gazette for a full preview of Colchester United's game at Walsall tonight.