HE is the only player to have started every league game for Colchester United, this season.

So it is perhaps not completely surprising that defender Ryan Jackson should consider this campaign as the most consistent of his career, so far.

The U’s right-back has been one of the first names on the teamsheet for John McGreal throughout their League Two promotion push, thanks to his reliable displays.

But seeing as this is Jackson’s tenth season as a professional, it is a bonus for Colchester that the 28-year-old considers the current campaign as his best so far.

Jackson said: “I’m pleased with the way I’m playing.

“I’ve been very consistent this year and I’ve started every game.

“I’m feeling good and feeling strong so I’m happy to keep performing and keep contributing to the team.

“I definitely think this is my most consistent season.

"I don’t think I’ve started this many games back to back before in my professional career, so I’m really pleased on that part.

“I feel really good and this is the strongest I’ve felt coming into the back end of the season, especially after playing so many games.

“I feel like I’m getting stronger and I know now how to manage my body.

“I’d love to start every single game this season and that’s what every player wants to do, play as many games as possible.

“Hopefully I can keep contributing and starting every game – the more the merrier.

“But I’ll be more pleased if we achieve something as a team.”

Jackson is hoping to help Colchester claim a crucial victory at Bury, to boost their play-off hopes.

The experienced full-back has previous experience of winning promotion having been part of the AFC Wimbledon squad that went up to League Two, in 2011.

“When I was at AFC Wimbledon, we were involved in a play-off chase,” said Jackson, who started his career with the Dons.

“It was their first year of getting into the league and we beat Luton in the final to go up.

“I didn’t start the play-off games but I was still in and around it and it was still a very good feeling.

“I know what it takes and it was a really good experience.”

Colchester head to Bury on the back of a home defeat against Oldham, their fourth loss in five games but Jackson says they must look forward to their remaining five matches of the season.

He added: “It’s a big game – we’ll be going there trying to get the three points and a clean sheet as well.

“Everyone’s still positive and everyone still believes.

“We’ve got good players and we know that we’re a good team.

“It’s just all about trying to replicate that on a Saturday.

“We can’t keep looking back – we have to keep looking forward and try to do better in the next game.

“We try not to worry about other teams but rather, worry about ourselves.

“We have good team spirit and we’re all working hard in the right direction to try and you win and lose as a team.

“We’ll learn from last week (against Oldham) and go again this week.”