ALEX Gilliead is ready to keep “learning on the job” as City chase a third straight win tonight at Colchester.

The versatile winger is relishing his new holding role in centre midfield where he has impressed in the victories over Hull and Newport.

Mark Hughes recommended the positional switch for a player he rates highly and Gilliead is happy to accept a very different responsibility.

He said: “I played a few times there at Scunthorpe but it was one of those where the gaffer put me there at the end of last season and thought I did all right and it snowballed from there.

“I enjoy it, getting on the ball and being involved, even just pressing. I enjoy working hard.

“I was speaking to some of my family on Sunday and they were saying they’d never thought they’d see me in the CDM role. But I can still drive and run with the ball if I need to.

“When I played out wide, you can drift in and out of games. That’s very frustrating for me and for the fans.

“Playing in the middle I can always have a presence even if it’s out of possession with the shape and pressing the ball and trying to win it back.

“It’s something I’m learning on the job but I’m really enjoying it.”

Gilliead has forged a close relationship with skipper Richie Smallwood from sharing a lift to training as part of City’s north-east “mafia”.

Now he is playing alongside the skipper in the team's engine room.

“With me and Dicky in there, I think we can form a good partnership and do well.

“We’ve got a good little car school with the four of us, Andy (Cook), me, Harry (Chapman) and Dicky.

“It’s a good group of lads this year. Everyone is getting on with each other.

“Having a good changing room plays a massive part in how you do during the season.

“We’ve got a mix of young lads who have come in and experienced heads.

“When you bring in so many new players, it takes a couple of months to gel.

“But I think lads are starting to come out of their shells now. We’re all starting to get to know each other so it’s a good group.”

Despite a summer of change, Gilliead remained optimistic about his own chances of still being involved.

“I felt that I would be in the gaffer’s plans just for the simple fact I played a lot of the games when he came in.

“But I didn’t know where that would be – out wide, in the middle or wherever. The unknown of that was a bit nerve-racking.

“But when I came back in, I spoke to the gaffer and felt confident that I would be involved in the large part of the games.”

Hughes believes Gilliead is already looking a good fit for the position.

The City boss said: “I like Alex in that situation. He’s getting to understand the role and is certainly impacting the game for us.

“I like his energy and technically he’s always been a good player. He can look after the ball in those key areas.

“Having that energy and technical ability in the middle of the park just makes sense to me.”