EX-NORWICH City stalwart, Gary Holt, will be looking to make an impression both on and off the pitch for his new club Colchester United.The experienced Holt, who made his debut in a U's shirt during Thursday night's 1-0 win at Heybridge Swifts, has registered as a first team player, as well as joining the coaching staff.

Carl Marston

EX-NORWICH City stalwart, Gary Holt, will be looking to make an impression both on and off the pitch for his new club Colchester United.

The experienced Holt, who made his debut in a U's shirt during Thursday night's 1-0 win at Heybridge Swifts, has registered as a first team player, as well as joining the coaching staff.

The 36-year-old has played the bulk of his career in central midfield, although he filled in at centre-half following his appearance as a 70th minute substitute at Scraley Road.

Holt will be assisting youth team coach Joe Dunne, and working with the first team, although he could also play a part on the pitch during the coming season.

Manager Paul Lambert is certainly not short of midfielders - Dean Hammond, Kem Izzet, David Perkins, David Fox, Anthony Wordsworth and Sam Corcoran are all vying for places - but Holt does give Lambert another option, especially as he is famed for his never-say-die attitude.

Lambert confirmed: “I think he (Holt) will be great on the coaching side of things.

“He will be here to help the younger kids coming through with Joe (Dunne), and help out the first team coaching as well.

“I can also use him if need be as a player, and I know that he won't let me down.”

Holt played under fellow Scotsman Lambert during his spell at previous club Wycombe Wanderers.

The Ayrshire-born defensive midfielder had an unusual start to his career - he was a chef in the Army Catering Corps and played for the British Army, before joining Celtic and then Stoke.

But he didn't make his senior debut until his switch to Kilmarnock in 1995. He made 151 league appearances for his local Scottish club, before moving south of the border to good effect at Norwich (168 league games) and Nottingham Forest (65 league outings).