Duguid: Rested Or Leaving?

Colchester United manager Geraint Williams has said he refuses to comment on stories that Karl Duguid is about to join either Hull or Charlton.

The club skipper did not make the trip to Ashton Gate over the weekend for Colchester`s draw against Bristol City, according to the Colchester Evening Gazette today, which has added to the speculation

Media suggestion that he is in talks with Charlton looks founded, given the signing of Paul Ifill for an undisclosed fee, from Tottenham. The 21-year-old took his regular place at right back.

Manager Williams rebuffed the suggestion that he could be off, citing a dip in form and fatigue as the reason for his displacement.

Karl has not been enjoying the best of seasons it must be observed, but could be free to take up his old right midfield position now that Ifill has joined.

"I don`t deal ion speculation," said Williams, in reference to the possible transfer, although Duguid had previously gone on record as saying he will spend the rest of his professional career at Layer Road.

Yet, the story will not abate because of the Phil Parkinson link at Charlton.

It was Parky who was in charge of the U`s as Duguid skippered them to promotion in 2005.

Then the dizzy heights of the Championship lest term were scaled last season, but Duguid, now proven in this division has suffered a loss of form as well as seen many of his former team-mates secure more lucrative contracts at other clubs.