Colchester United's blood-stained hero Barry Conlon is hoping he has done enough to earn another loan spell with the U's - or to sign for the Layer Road club permanently.

Scorer of the all-important second goal that finally killed off Notts County - his first goal for the U's and his first in the League this season - Conlon is set to end his initial one-month loan spell on Friday, three days after his final outing in tomorrow night's LDV Trophy tie at Cambridge United.

"I'd love to stay, either on an extended loan or on a permanent basis," said the 22-year-old York City striker and former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international target man.

"I love it here. It's been brilliant at Colchester and I will be speaking to the gaffer after training today to see what my prospects are.

"It's been great playing in Second Division football and I've thoroughly enjoyed getting a few first team games under my belt.

"It can be a battle sometimes up front as a target man, but I'm feeling confident and I'm really enjoying myself."

Of his first League goal for the U's, the former Southend leading marksman said: "It did feel extra special because it was my first and when Joe Dunne played a great ball in I took a gamble, shrugged Nick Fenton aside, and just beat the advancing keeper to it."

Conlon had earlier been in the wars and was forced to leave the field for nine minutes to have four stitches inserted in a nasty gash just above his right eye.

He came back with his head heavily bandaged, but his sense of humour still intact.

He said: "I must have looked like Rambo running about out there. There was plenty of blood, but I think their guy accidentally caught me with his elbow."

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