U's front man Steven Gillespie is eager to make a big impression this season.

The pacey striker missed plenty of football due to injuries last time out, but is keen to play his part this time around to make the U's a force to be reckoned with at the top of the League One table.

"I'm feeling good," he told the Colchester Gazette.

"We've been given a hard programme during the summer, which I've been sticking to. It's more important for me than the other lads because of last season.

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"I'm even more excited than I was this time last year, because I've worked hard to get my fitness at a level where I can sustain 40 games a season."