It's a wonderful life.

Colchester United midfielder Kem Izzet has no qualms about working over the festive period.

Izzet and his U’s team-mates will train today and on Christmas Day, ahead of their Boxing Day trip to Brighton and Hove Albion.

It means the long-serving Colchester stalwart will have little time to spend with his family over yuletide.

However, Izzet believes working over Christmas comes with the territory of being a professional footballer.

He told the Gazette: “I will never say it’s difficult, because I’ve always thought that being a footballer is a perfect life.

“I will never take it for granted.

“To have to train on Christmas Day is no hardship for us at all.

“I’ll probably be back at home again by 12 o’clock and come May time, we’ll all have at least a month off.”

Colchester are set to lock horns with former U’s player Kevin McLeod but Adam Virgo, who also now plays for Brighton, is suspended for the Boxing Day clash.

Micky Adams – who had a six-month spell as the U’s assistant manager last season – is in charge of the Seagulls.

Adams worked alongside former boss Geraint Williams while Colchester were in the Coca-Cola Championship.

But he left in January, in search of a full management role.

“Micky gave out some harsh banter at times,” said Izzet.

“In training, he’d sometimes have a go at players but it was a little bit in vain, because the manager at the time did not want that from his assistant. I got on well with Micky and it will be nice to see him on Friday.

“They’ve not been going so well lately but I hope they pick up – after we’ve played them.”