Kurtis Guthrie is relishing his roving role, in Colchester United’s midfield, and has targeted a challenging goals tally for the season.

Jersey-born Guthrie, who is looking forward to today’s home game against his old club, Accrington Stanley, has so far bagged a couple of goals for his new club, during the first seven weeks of the campaign.

The 23-year-old, who began the season on the wing but has since adopted a more central position, has found the net in the 3-2 home win over Grimsby, and the 3-2 home defeat by Exeter.

“I want to get double figures this season,” revealed Guthrie.

“I’m feeling confident, and I’ve set my own personal target. I think I can score lots of goals.

“We’ve started well, as a team, and everything is positive around the place.

“Personally, I’m delighted to be playing regular football, and I’m looking for another three points this weekend.”

Guthrie began his professional career with a season at Accrington Stanley, in 2011-12, playing 16 league and cup games but not managing to get on the score-sheet. He did, though, score one goal during a short loan stint at Conference club Southport in mid-season.

Arriving at the Crown Ground, the home of Accrington, as a raw 18-year-old, it is not surprising that Guthrie did not make an immediate impression in the Football League.

“I came over from Jersey, where there was only amateur football,” explained Guthrie, who played for St Clement Sports Club and then Trinity during his early years.

“It was all such a long time ago, my spell at Accrington. It was all new to me.

“The players have all changed, although it’s the same manager (John Coleman). I got on well with him. He’s a good manager, though he could be a bit fiery from the sidelines.

“I certainly don’t feel that I have a point to prove, this weekend. The only point I have to prove is to myself, that’s the way I look at it.

“We are nicely placed at the moment, and I’m getting used to playing in my new position. I want to embrace that role this season, and score lots of goals.

“I certainly have the legs and the fitness to get up and down the pitch, although I was finding my feet in that position for the first couple of games.”

Guthrie dropped into non-league, following that first season with Accrington. He briefly played for Bath City (Conference South) in 2012, before spending two seasons at Welling United and then two seasons at Conference high-fliers Forest Green Rovers, scoring 19 goals in 79 league games for the New Lawn club.

But last July, he returned to the League by signing a two-year deal for Colchester, for an undisclosed fee, and has so far started all eight league games.

“I certainly think we can stay in the top seven this season,” insisted Guthrie.

“I’m sure that we will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season. That’s our aim.”