DAVID Fox could be handed a massive opportunity at Huddersfield today.

DAVID Fox could be handed a massive opportunity at Huddersfield today.

The 26-year-old midfielder looks set to replace the suspended David Prutton in the centre of midfield this afternoon.

And while the former Blackpool playmaker has found his chances limited under manager Aidy Boothroyd in a frustrating first season at the club, the U’s boss says it’s not too late for Fox to force his way back into the picture.

“David Fox is probably the best football player we’ve got in the club,” admitted Boothroyd, who has started the midfielder in just nine league games so far.

“David might find himself in the team on Saturday, he could be a key player and then stay in the team for Orient.

“Then I might think ‘do I need another midfield player?’ These are the questions I’ll be asking myself and the players will be asking themselves.”

He added: “When people like David Fox, Matt Heath and Steven Gillespie have not been in the team much you look to them for their response and character.

“I have to say that every single one of them has been fantastic. Sometimes they have come in and done it and sometimes maybe it has not worked, but they’ve always trained hard.”

Former Manchester United trainee Fox was one of eight players released by Blackpool boss Ian Holloway at the end of last season. Paul Lambert then persuaded him to drop down to League One and sign a three year deal at the U’s.

Fox duly started Colchester’s first five league games of the season, however, when Lambert departed for Norwich and was replaced by Boothroyd, he soon found himself further down the pecking order.

Despite the fact that Tangerines boss Holloway has gone on record as regretting his decision to release Fox, saying that he now feels he would have done a good job in the Championship this season, the midfielder has continually had to settle for a place on the U’s bench at best.

Fox has started just nine league games under Boothroyd and a further two in the FA Cup. He has been used as a substitute on just three further occasions.