RYAN Jackson has enjoyed his fair share of duels with opposing wingers, during his time as Colchester United’s right-back.

And this weekend, the experienced U’s defender could have a very familiar adversary to do battle with when they make the trip to play Exeter City, at St James Park.

The Grecians have recently recruited Brennan Dickenson, who spent three seasons at Colchester prior to leaving them to join MK Dons, last summer.

The 26-year-old last week left the League One side to join Exeter and could tomorrow face the U’s, for whom he made nearly 100 appearances and scored 15 goals during his time at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Jackson played with Dickenson at both Colchester and their former club Gillingham – and is relishing the potential opportunity of locking swords with his former team-mate.

“I know Dicko quite well,” said Jackson. “He’s a good lad and a good player as well.

“I’ve always liked him and it should be a good little battle.

“I might have to give him a little nudge here and there!”

Colchester, who are currently seventh in League Two, head to Exeter on the back of an impressive 14-match unbeaten league run.

But they face a Grecians side, managed by former U’s loanee Matt Taylor, who themselves lie second in the table following a ten-match sequence without defeat.

Jackson said: “It’s a big game for both teams and we both need the win.

“We have a good record against top teams, so we’ve not really got much to fear – we just have to concentrate on our game.

“The lower teams have still got their threats but they mostly come to frustrate us and drag the game out whereas the teams above bring it to us.

“It makes it a better game and allows us to attack on the break when they’re coming forward and vice-versa.

“If they do bring it to us, we’ll try and defend as well as we can and just try and counter but hopefully, it’s a good game.

“We’re in a rich vein of form right now.

“Everyone’s playing well and we just need to keep trying to get the wins on the board.

“We’re playing well as a team and keeping it tight at the back, so we’re not far from turning those draws into wins.

“It’s a good unbeaten run we’re building and hopefully, we can keep it going.

“We’re a good team; we know that we’re not untouchable or anything like that but we just try and do the right things every day in training and hopefully that replicates on a Saturday.

“It’s a good bunch of lads; everyone is positive and everyone is quite tight knit, so it’s a good time.”