KEM Izzet has handed Colchester United a boost, on the eve of tonight's key Championship test at Barnsley, by signing a new contract.Midfield lynchpin Izzet is the second longest-serving player at Layer Road, behind club skipper Karl Duguid, having signed on a free transfer from Charlton in March, 2001.

Carl Marston

KEM Izzet has handed Colchester United a boost, on the eve of tonight's key Championship test at Barnsley, by signing a new contract.

Midfield lynchpin Izzet is the second longest-serving player at Layer Road, behind club skipper Karl Duguid, having signed on a free transfer from Charlton in March, 2001.

The 27-year-old will be hoping to celebrate with a victory at Oakwell, as the U's bid to drag themselves off the basement.

“We have been talking for about three or four months now, and I am glad to get it done,” confirmed Izzet.

He only missed one game in the U's first season in the Championship last term, due to a one-match ban, and has just returned to the starting line-up following a thumb injury.

Izzet is currently 19th in the U's all-time league appearance maker charts. He is set to play his 242nd league game tonight, while Duguid is in seventh spot on 369 league games. Former stalwart Micky Cook tops the pile with 614.

The U's are currently five points adrift of safety at the foot of the Championship, although even a draw tonight will be enough for them to leapfrog second-from-bottom Scunthorpe, who are not in action tonight on goal difference.

Barnsley received a double boost of their own yesterday. In addition to earning a plum draw in the fifth round of the FA Cup, at Premier League giants Liverpool, they also signed striker Jon Macken for an undisclosed six-figure fee form Derby County.