JAMAL Campbell-Ryce says he jumped at the chance to coach Colchester United’s talented youngsters – but insists he still has the desire to continue playing.

The 36-year-old winger has linked up with the U’s academy as a player-coach, where he will help nurture the club’s under-23 and under-18 players.

Campbell-Ryce, who won promotion while on loan at Colchester in 2006, is also registered to play at first-team level along with for the U’s under-23s, as an over-age player.

And the Jamaica international, whose last competitive match came for Stevenage in League Two in January, says he is happy to combine playing and coaching at his new club.

Campbell-Ryce said: “I’m still registered to play and if the gaffer wants me, I’d obviously be more than happy to play my part and I’m in good shape.

“I still have a burning desire to play but this is a different role for me, with the coaching too.

“I started doing my coaching badges a couple of years ago.

“But I actually feel as though I’ve been in this role for a couple of years anyway, in that I’ve been trying to help younger players which is something I enjoy.

“If I can help a player carve out a career for themselves, I’d be more than happy to do that.

“I’m very happy to be back at Colchester.

“It was a bit of a random one - I was training with Barnet just ticking over but then I got asked whether I would be interested in a player-coach role.

“I’ve got to the stage in my career where it’s time to start transitioning over.

“Anyone who’s been a player always believes that they can be a player for the rest of their lives but that’s not the case.

“Colchester are bringing the young players through which is fantastic so if I can help the youngsters in any way, I’d be very glad to.”

Colchester want Campbell-Ryce to put his vast experience as a player to good use, working within their youth set-up at Florence Park.

The former Sheffield United and Barnsley attacker has clocked up nearly 550 league and cup appearances, during a playing career that has spanned 17 years and 16 different clubs.

“If they can take something from me and the experience I’ve had in my career, I’d be delighted,” said Campbell-Ryce, who was involved with coaching the U’s under-18 team against Leeds United, last weekend.

“In the few days I’ve been training with Colchester, I’ve really enjoyed feeding the young boys information

“It’s a joy to go in and not only coach them with the football side of it but also let them know what a great club they’re at.

“It’s phenomenal with the pathway they have at Colchester and I’m so overwhelmed by the talent they have there.

“It’s great to be given the opportunity to be involved in that and I’m very thankful – every day is a learning day.”

Campbell-Ryce made four appearances for the U’s during his six-week loan spell, at Layer Road.

He is one of only a few players who have won promotion with two different clubs in one season, having also gone up with Southend United following a loan spell there earlier in the 2005-06 campaign.

He added: “The promotion year was great for me, going up with both Colchester and Southend.

“The club has moved forward since I was here last, with both the ground and the training ground facilities which are fantastic.

“The young lads who are training there might think it’s normal for a League Two club but I assure them that’s very much not the case.

“Last season, they narrowly missed out on the play-offs and they’re looking to go one better, this season.”