Craig Slater has revealed some extra gym sessions have helped him muscle his way into Colchester United’s starting line-up.

The Scotland under-21 international had to bide his time before cementing his place in John McGreal’s team, following his summer move from Kilmarnock.

Slater only started two of Colchester’s opening seven games in League Two but has now established himself as a regular, starting each of their last seven matches.

And the 22-year-old midfielder says some additional time in the gym is helping him compete on a physical level with opponents.

Slater said: “If I’m being honest, I’d say it’s a bit more physical down here.

“The players are a bit more physically developed.

“It’s taken me a while to realise that and get in the gym, to try and add to my game.”

Colchester have currently experiencing a winless run in League Two, having gone six games without tasting victory.

The U’s performed well at Doncaster Rovers last weekend only to come away from the Keepmoat Stadium empty-handed, following a 1-0 defeat.

Slater says performances have been good but admits they have to get the basics right at both ends of the pitch, if they are to get back to winning ways.

“It’s about doing the small things right, like set-pieces and not conceding,” said the former “When we’ve got the ball in their half, we have to kill the game when we’re on top and put the ball in the back of the net – otherwise it might come back to bite us.

“Performances have been really good and I don’t think anyone will be too down about the results yet.”

Slater says he has found League Two a competitive division so far, having moved south of the border in the summer.

He added: “Down here, I’d say all the teams are very professional and all of a similar standard.

“It’s very competitive and everyone’s vying for promotion.

“Back home you’ve obviously got Celtic and Rangers. They’re quite a bit ahead of the others.

“Colchester are a club that try and play good football and that suits me down to a tee.”