Joe Dunne will be fighting “tooth and nail” to turn Colchester United’s fortunes around, according to his former team-mate Richard Wilkins.

But the ex-U’s favourite has warned that if Dunne keeps Colchester in League One this season, it will be a big achievement.

Wilkins knows the Irishman well, having lined up alongside him for the U’s as a player in the 1990s.

The popular duo were both members of the Colchester side that won promotion via the division three play-off final at Wembley, in 1998.

Wilkins said: “Joe was always fully committed as a player - and he’ll be no different as a manager.

“He lives and breathes Colchester and will be fighting tooth and nail to turn things around."

See Thursday's Gazette for more on this story and all of the latest Colchester United news, including Duguid's Diary.