Colchester United loanee Tarique Fosu has past experience of chasing the League Two play-offs

The skilful forward was part of the Accrington Stanley side that narrowly missed out on a trip to Wembley, last season.

Stanley lost out to eventual winners AFC Wimbledon in the semi-final but tomorrow, the Colchester United attacker will be aiming to keep alive his hopes of a second successive play-off push.

Fosu, on loan from Championship club Reading, is part of a U’s side that sit three points adrift of the top seven with two games remaining, ahead of their game at troubled Leyton Orient.

He said: “I was in the play-offs last year so I know what it’s about but it’s good to be pushing again now.

“You need to believe and stay strong when things don’t go right.

“You have to be positive as a team to get in there.

“I feel the team here has really grown and got stronger.

“There’s a good team spirit that will get us through the next few games.

“We have had a lot of injuries but we’ve stayed strong as a team and worked hard for each other.

“It’s been a good season in that respect.

“We have been really good in the last couple of games and we have to take that into the game.

“We can’t think about them (Leyton Orient) being relegated, we just have to think about us getting the three points because that’s what we need.

“We have to keep doing what we are doing.

“We can’t think about all the stuff that’s going on with them.

“The most important thing is thinking about ourselves and getting the job done.

“We are in different situations but the most important thing is the game on Saturday and that’s all we’re concentrating on.”

Fosu has spent the majority of his career so far as a winger but has impressed for the U’s in a central attacking role, over recent games.

Colchester head coach John McGreal (pictured left) says he is pleased with the impact the 21-year-old is having.

McGreal said: “We’ve adapted his role as he came to us as a winger and over the last few weeks he has affected the game over the whole 90 minutes.

“He is improving himself and he is affecting our team performance in attack.

“He looks a threat and has been getting in and around goal scoring positions so hopefully he can continue that.”

Fosu has spent the majority of his career so far as a winger but has impressed for the U’s in a central attacking role, over recent games.

He has played his part in helping Colchester embark on a four-match unbeaten run, as they attempt to close in on the top seven.

“It’s helping me a lot,” said Fosu, who also had a loan spell at Fleetwood Town, last season.

“I’m enjoying it in a central role as it’s easier to get on the ball.

“The Gaffer has put me in and trusted me.

“I played in there a bit when I was younger but I haven’t been in there too much.

“So I’m learning and hopefully I can continue to impress and do well for the team.

“I feel like I’m much more involved and have a bigger part to play in the middle.”

Colchester head coach John McGreal says he is pleased with the impact the 21-year-old is having.

McGreal said: “We’ve adapted his role as he came to us as a winger and over the last few weeks he has affected the game over the whole 90 minutes.

“He is improving himself and he is affecting our team performance in attack.

“He looks a threat and has been getting in and around goal scoring positions so hopefully he can continue that.”

Fosu insists he and his Colchester team-mates are focusing solely on tomorrow’s game at Leyton Orient, rather than looking any further ahead.

The U’s host Yeovil Town on the final day of the campaign next weekend, a fixture that could be pivotal in their quest to secure promotion.

But Fosu added: “We are just trying to get the three points from this one and we’ll then think about the next game next week.”