John White is ready to answer manager Joe Dunne’s call and ease Colchester United’s centre-back shortage.

The long-serving U’s defender was hugely impressive at the heart of their defence in helping them to a vital win over Leyton Orient, last weekend.

White stepped into the breach after Josh Thompson limped off with a hamstring injury, in the opening stages of Colchester’s 2-1 victory.

The popular 26-year-old has made his name as a reliable full-back at Colchester and has played at centre-back only a handful of times during his professional career.

But with Colchester sweating on the fitness of Thompson and Tom Eastman for this weekend’s trip to Notts County, White said he has no qualms about continuing in the position, if required.

White said: “We’ll have to wait and see with Josh and how bad his injury is, to see if he’ll be back available for Notts County.

“But I’m happy to play there and moving across to centre-back is something that I think that I’ve got in my locker, because I’m a defensive-minded player.

“I think I’ve got a little bit of pace and that helps, too and I’ve played there now and again."

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