Versatility can sometimes act as a hindrance for professional footballers during their career, rather than a benefit.

But in Drey Wright’s case, having the ability to perform well in a number of positions is proving to be particularly advantageous for both the skilful winger and Colchester United.

An early injury to Kane Vincent-Young resulted in Wright playing as a left wing-back for the majority of the U’s 2-0 win over Mansfield Town, last weekend.

His impressive performance was singled out for praise by Colchester head coach John McGreal afterwards.

And having played in a number of other roles for Colchester already this season, the former U’s academy player says he it is important he can make an impact wherever he plays in the team.

Wright said: “I’m pleased, because I’ve played consistently in the side and I feel that I’ve played to a consistent standard.

“I came out of the side for a few games and came on in different positions and made an impact, as well.

“I’ve played in three or four positions over the last three or four games.

“As long as I can put in a strong performance wherever I am in the team, hopefully that can help us get three points.

“We’ve been playing 4-4-2 over the last three games and I’ve been playing as a wide midfielder.

“But due to injury against Mansfield we changed to our normal three and I played as a left wing-back.

“I played there against Accrington which wasn’t a great day for us – it was the first game of the season and I hadn’t really been tried out in that position.

“Accrington are a good side especially at home so it was a difficult one but at home, it gives us that extra advantage.

“We have a lot more possession and that helps us and me massively in that position.

“It’s a strength of ours that we have a number of players who can play particularly well in a number of positions.

“That is another string to our bow - we can adapt formations throughout the game and we can maximise points.

“We do a lot of work on it and we know that certain formations can help us at certain times during a game.”

Wright will be hoping to help Colchester chalk up a third successive win and yet another clean sheet when they entertain Carlisle United, tomorrow.

“We’re confident that we can go and get three points, especially being at home,” said Wright, who is one of Colchester’s leading appearance makers so far, this season.

“We’re in a good run of form and we want games, so we just want to go into the next match as quickly as possible.

“We’re only looking upwards at the minute and we’ll look to carry on our form and move up the table.

“We feel like we’re building something now.

“We trying to build up a consistency and now we’ve picked up results both home and away, it stands us in good stead for the games to come.

“We’ve picked up a good bit of form with three good results in as many games where we’ve picked up seven points, so we’re in a good place.

“We’ve tightened up in a few areas and we feel very confident that we’re not going to concede a goal.

“That’s shown throughout the team and the performances and we know that we have the quality to score goals.”

Wright has played his part in creating plenty of goals for Colchester since making his senior debut for the club as a 17-year-old under the management of John Ward, back in 2012.

But the 22-year-old has not been a prolific goalscorer himself having not scored for almost a year and he admits he needs to find the net more regularly.

Wright added: “I think the one thing that’s missing from my game at the moment is goals.

“Everyone wants to score goals and I’m no different.

“But in the last two games, I’ve had to help us defensively more and I feel like I’ve done that to help us get the three points.

“I feel like I’m becoming a better defensive footballer, although that’s sacrificing my opportunity to go forward!

“Brennan got ten goals from that position last season so I know that if I am playing there, there’s licence to get forward and score some goals.”