Colchester United received a big boost yesterday, with talented left-back Luke Garbutt extending his loan stay from Everton for another month.

Furthermore, the 20-year-old wants to help propel the U’s into the top half of the table, and into the top 10, during the course of the next few weeks.

Garbutt has only missed one game, since his arrival from Goodison Park in mid-September, chalking up 18 appearances as well as scoring three goals.

He played a key role in shutting out MK Dons on New Year’s Day, as the U’s showed their resilience to hold out for a goal-less draw in the face of intense pressure from their hosts.

And Garbutt is now earmarking this Saturday’s return to action, at home to Gillingham, as the start of another push up the table.

“I’m delighted to have signed for another month, and I know that Everton are happy with my progress at Colchester, “ revealed Garbutt last night.

“I want to keep up my good form, and help the team to get into the top 10, which is where I think we should be. I’m looking for us to push on into the new year.

“Despite the defeat to Crewe (2-1 on December 29), it was a good festive period for us. We took seven points out of a possible 12, and I thought we showed a lot of character at MK Dons, to grind out a draw. Sam Walker was magnificent, and we rode our luck at times, but it was a real team performance.

“Since then, we have enjoyed a few days rest, to get the tiredness out of legs after a hectic period of four games in 11 days.

“But we’re ready to go again, against Gillingham this weekend. We’re playing some teams around us over the next few weeks, including Carlisle the following week, so it’s a big chance for us to get up that league,” added Garbutt.

The U’s are currently 15th in the table, four points clear of the relegation zone, but also only four points adrift of the top 10.

Gillingham are just one place and one point above them, so a home win on Saturday would see the U’s leapfrog their Kent visitors in the League One table, although the Gills did record an impressive win over promotion favourites Wolves in their last outing last Friday.

Sealing Garbutt’s new deal means that manager Joe Dunne has two more transfer issues to try and fulfil this month – trying to keep hold of keeper Walker beyond when his current loan deal expires, on January 16 – which will be a tall order – and signing a back-up loan centre-half as cover for Magnus Okuonghae and Tom Eastman.