LUKE Hannant’s performances have been praised following his recent resurgence in form at Colchester United.

The 29-year-old attacker had previously found himself out of favour at the U’s in the latter weeks of former boss Wayne Brown's reign.

But since Matt Bloomfield’s arrival as the club’s new head coach, Hannant has started every single Colchester league game, predominantly in a number ten role.

Hannant bagged his first U's league goal in their last League Two clash, the 3-0 triumph over Doncaster Rovers - and Bloomfield has hailed the former Cambridge United man’s contribution.

Bloomfield said: “I think Hanno has been absolutely brilliant.

“He’s played in a couple of different positions for us but he always approaches his game from what I’m seeing with a real energy and enthusiasm and all of the things that I’ve been asking for, from the boys.

“Everyone has been the same, to be honest since I walked into the building.

“We’re learning about people every day.

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“I believe he’s versatile enough to play in different roles.

“During his time at Cambridge, he played both on the right and on the left.

“I’ve spoken to people about him, people I know in the game who had him at Cambridge and they spoke glowingly about him.

“Since I’ve been here, he’s probably played more in that central ten area which I think he gives us really energy and a good drive from that area of the park.

“He does a bit of the ugly stuff quite well as well, picking up second balls and that kind of stuff and then he can link play.

“So I’m really pleased with Hanno.”

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Hannant was utilised as a wide attacking player for Colchester, in his first season with the club.

But in the current campaign, he has played predominantly in a central role under Bloomfield.

However, the U's boss feels Hannant is more than capable of playing in more than one position.

Bloomfield said: “I don’t see him as being pigeon-holed in one position.

“I think so far, he’s performed better in that ten role and been really influential for us.

“But at the same time, he’s certainly got a versatility that we’re going to need to utilise at different times of the season.”