Colchester United legend and current youth team coach Karl Duguid is leaving the Club.

Karl, who sits in the top ten appearance makers of all time for the U’s, retired from playing at the end of last season.

But, after six months of retirement, he is now considering pulling on his boots at some level again as he looks for pastures new.

Speaking to the Colchester United official website, he said: “I went to the chairman a couple of weeks ago to tell him that I was considering stepping down from my coaching role and looking at a new direction.

“He told me to go away and think about it and consider what I wanted to do.

“I have enjoyed working with Wayne Brown and the youth team over the past couple of months, and it’s been a good experience, but I feel like I need to try something different.

“When I finished playing, I had always had it in the back of my mind that it might have been a bit early and, as much as I’ve really enjoyed the coaching side of things, I do miss not playing.

“I have started out with a coaching school and I have also had a few offers to get playing again, so there’s a good chance that I will venture down that route.

“It’s a big decision for me, but I feel like I want to explore what’s out there. There are no hard feelings whatsoever with the club, and the chairman and manager have said that I am always welcome to return and I’m sure I will be doing that.”