PLAY-anywhere Ian Henderson might be back amongst the goals, in a three-pronged attack, but he is indebted to the role of his two fellow front-men.

PLAY-anywhere Ian Henderson might be back amongst the goals, in a three-pronged attack, but he is indebted to the role of his two fellow front-men.

Livewire Henderson nodded home his seventh goal of the season, in last Saturday’s impressive 4-1 demolition of Bury, and he is targeting another goal at managerless Hartlepool tomorrow.

Yet the ex-Norwich City attacker is quick to praise the influence of unsung hero, Kayode Odejayi, and also local hero Karl Duguid.

Centre-forward Odejayi, who has spent most of this season up front on his own, has failed to score in the U’s last six games. But in Henderson’s eyes, the big man’s mere presence is having a positive effect on the team-mates around him.

“Kay’s been exceptional, in the last few games especially, but also throughout the whole season,” insisted Henderson before yesterday’s training session.

“I’m sure he’d like to score a few more goals, like we all do, but the works that he is doing for the team is not getting unnoticed by anyone.

“It’s fantastic the way he can hold the ball up, and hold up two or three players at any one time. To me that is incredible.

“It’s maybe the reason why me and Woody (midfielder Anthony Wordsworth) have been scoring because of the attention Kay has taken away from the defenders,” added Henderson.

While Henderson is again set to patrol the left flank at Hartlepool, club stalwart Duguid will be charging up and down the right wing like a 23-year-old, not a 33-year-old!

Duguid netted twice in the U’s victory over Bury, on his first start since his summer return to his home club, and the veteran will clock up his 451st senior appearance for the Essex club tomorrow.

“Karl (Duguid) coming into the team last week was like a breath of fresh air,” enthused Henderson.

“His humour and his nature around the place is great to have. He is so enthusiastic, and that rubs off on people.

“You could see all that from the fans’ reaction. When he scored, they were chanting his name. It must have been an amazing feeling for himself to come back to a club where he was so successful beforehand.

“The manager has given him a chance and he has taken it with both hands. He’s a top man, and I reckon he’s got a few years left him,” added Henderson.

The U’s are up to 12th in the table, but Henderson hasn’t been checking.

“I don’t look at tables until the end of January,” insisted Henderson.