Colchester United midfielder Craig Slater has vowed to grab his chance with both hands after forging his way into the U’s team.

The Scot, a summer signing from Kilmarnock, had a frustrating start to life with the club and only made two starts in August.

However, now he is settling in and the 22-year-old has been in the team for five of Colchester’s seven league and cup games since the turn of September.

“It took a while to get my chance, for whatever reason,” he said.

“I wasn’t happy because I wasn’t playing.

“It wasn’t ideal but you have to respect the manager’s decision.

“You have to work hard and take your chance and thankfully now I’m getting some game-time, which feels good.

“It’s about the team and we need to be picking up results, but on a personal note it’s great to be involved.

“It’s good for the club that everyone’s vying for the starting positions.

“There’s good competition among the players.

“There’s a spirit and feel-good factor which makes such a difference, certainly for us as players, when we come in for training.

“Obviously we’ve been a bit frustrated not to have more wins, but it’ll come and we just need to keep doing what we’ve been doing.”

After an encouraging start to the season, Colchester have not won any of their last five league and cup matches - and just one of their last eight.

Tomorrow they face a Newport County side struggling at the bottom of the League Two table.

Slater says he and his team-mates would never take anything for granted, but he is confident the team can bounce back to winning ways soon. “We would never underestimate anyone,” said the midfielder, whose opportunity has been enhanced by an injury to Tom Lapslie. “We treat everyone the same and respect all the teams we play.

“However, we’re confident and desperate to turn things around, starting with Newport.

“After a couple of disappointing results, people start looking at you but everyone here knows the club is moving in the right direction.

“There’s been a bit of tinkering, in terms of the formation, but quite a lot of boys came in during the summer and it’s been a case of gelling together.

“To be fair, we’ve played some really good stuff but it’s been about getting over the line and getting the points in recent weeks.

“But I’m sure we’ll bounce back soon.

“If we can start putting away our chances, we’ll do well.

“Our passing and possession has been really positive, but it’s about winning matches and to do that you need to put the ball in the back of the net.

“It’s only been in the last few games that we’ve been unlucky. Before that we were playing some really good stuff.”

Despite being such a long way from home, Slater is enjoying life in north Essex.

“I’m really enjoying it and like the area,” he said.

“You play in a bit of a bubble when you’re up in Scotland.

“Down here, it’s been a bit of an eye-opener, playing different styles of football, and there are a lot more teams down here.

“I also get on really well with all the boys.

“It was a surprise when I first came down and saw how young the team was.

“Everyone’s enthusiastic to try and kick on with their careers, better themselves and not rest on their laurels.”