DANNY Cowley is backing ‘selfless’ new signing Jack Payne to shine in an advanced role for Colchester United this season.

The 29-year-old has been reunited with the Cowleys at the U’s having previously played for them at Lincoln City, signing a two-year deal at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Payne spent last season on loan at fellow League Two side MK Dons, where he was a key player and predominantly utilised in a more withdrawn midfield berth.

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He provided six goals and six assists in his 42 appearances for Dons, helping them reach the play-offs where they lost to Crewe Alexandra.

Payne scored and provided an assist in Colchester's friendly win over Cambridge United last weekend and boss Cowley says he plans to use him high up the pitch, as the U's bid to challenge at the right end of the table.

Cowley said: “I think Jack is a brilliant player.

“For us, Jack has always played at the top end of the pitch up until last year at MK Dons, when they played him a little bit deeper.

“He’s a boy that every time he plays in this league, he scores double figures and not only that, he assists and creates at least that if not more, because he’s a selfless player.

(Image: CLINT HUGHES/PA WIRE)

“We see him in an advanced position – I always think, if they have the ability to score goals and affect the goal, then play them close to it.”

Cowley signed Payne for Lincoln from Huddersfield Town in the summer of 2019.

The former Southend United youngster made 30 league and cup appearances for the Imps but only a handful under the Cowleys, who ironically made the opposite journey to join Huddersfield a few weeks after Payne’s arrival.

“We worked so hard to sign him at Lincoln,” added Cowley.

“We didn’t work with him for too long.

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“He came in in the June and we left mid-September and we worked so hard to get him there.

“We knew him well from what he did at Southend.

“Jack’s a great kid who brings a brilliant energy and loves football.

“He plays the game with a smile on his face and as well as being a wonderful technician, he also has the wonderful ability to bring people with him.

“He has such an infectious enthusiasm and for us, it’s a really good signing.”

Payne is in line to make his Colchester debut when they face AFC Wimbledon in their season opener, on Saturday.