RYAN Clampin insists he is happy to play anywhere for Colchester United - if it means being in Wayne Brown's starting line-up.

The 23-year-old played in a more advanced left-sided role for the U's in their 1-0 defeat at Stockport County.

Clampin played just in front of youngster Al-Amin Kazeem, who was handed his first-ever league start at Edgeley Park.

And although he has played little senior football in the more offensive role, the former U's academy player says he was happy to play there.

Clampin said: "I don't mind playing anywhere on the pitch - as long as I'm on, I'll do a job for the boys.

"It's nice that the gaffer trusts me to get forward a bit more.

"I grew up playing wide on the left wing and enjoyed it.

"It's not my best position but I'll definitely do a job for the boys.

"I felt like Al-Amin dealt with his first-ever league start really well and we helped each other out, throughout the game."

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Clampin has started every league game for Colchester this season since returning from a long-term knee injury.

The defender missed much of the previous campaign after suffering the injury in the U's FA Cup first-round game at AFC Sudbury, last November.

"I'm buzzing to be back," said Clampin, who has made more than 50 league and cup appearances for the U's since making his senior debut for them in September, 2018.

"It is hard after being out for so long to then come straight back into it but I've just got to adapt."

Clampin admits losing to Stockport was hard to take, especially after the euphoria of beating Ipswich Town in the Carabao Cup last week.

Kyle Wootton's header proved the difference between the two teams, at a hot and humid Edgeley Park.

Clampin said: "We're gutted that we didn't get something from the game.

"Stockport are a great passing team and we tried to do a job and nullify their threats and we knew they would be good on the ball.

"We tried to sit in and not let them play through.

"But if you are going to sit off too much, then eventually you are going to concede goals.

"We tried our best to stop them getting crosses in but they're a good side and when you give them time and space on the ball, they're going to create something.

"We had a great evening for the whole club on Tuesday at Ipswich, which really lifted the boys.

"We wanted to capitalise on that and I felt like we could have gone on and got something out of the game.

"From a personal point of view, I've got to stop the cross and then in my opinion, the striker can't get in front his man but that's football.

"It's hard when you're trying to sit in and when you do get your chance, it's tough especially up top there on your own.

"It was so hot out there - it was more mentally tough than physically.

"It was really hard out there and to stay switched on.

"It was tough but both teams have got it and Stockport dealt with it better."