Colchester United goalkeeper Dillon Barnes admits he has had to be patient in waiting for his first-team chance.

The 22-year-old has started the season as the U's number one, following the departure of former first-choice keeper Sam Walker to Reading.

The young custodian had also finished the previous campaign in goal for the U’s, playing against Swindon Town and Exeter City in their final two games.

“It was brilliant to hear the manager back me at the start of the season – it felt really good knowing that I have the staff and players behind me,” said Barnes, who joined Colchester in August, 2015.

“It’s been good and it couldn’t really get any better than getting two clean sheets to start with, in the league.

“I’ve waited a long time for the opportunity and since I’ve been here, I’ve been working hard and learning a lot every day.

“You have to earn that chance and it’s not just given to you but it’s up to me to take it.

“You just have to be patient and wait your turn.

“Sammie did really well in the years that he’s been here and it was better for me to be patient and be ready for the opportunity, when it arrived.

“Everyone was sad to see Sammie go and fair play to him, he’s done really well.

“I learnt a lot from him – he’s a good role model and a very good goalkeeper.

“He played a lot of games for Colchester.”

Barnes admits spending time out on loan last season served as a ‘wake-up call’.

He had spells in Vanarama National League South with both Hemel Hempstead Town and Welling United, playing 17 games in total away from the JobServe Community Stadium.

Barnes also spent time on loan with Farnborough Town during his time at Fulham earlier in his career and the U’s shot-stopper and says it has helped prepare him for his first-team call-up, this season.

Barnes said: “If I didn’t go out on loan, I wouldn’t be the goalkeeper that I am today.

“The under-23s is good but there’s only so much that you can take from it.

“Going out on loan to Welling and Hemel Hempstead was fantastic for me and I recommend it to any young goalkeeper, to experience men’s football.

“It’s a wake-up call – you open your eyes and think ‘wow, this is the real world’ getting nudged, elbowed, punched and all sorts!

“At the end of the day, you’re playing for something and jobs are on the line for people.

“You’re always dealing with something new, whether it’s pouring down with rain, the wind is in your face, or a big striker standing on you at a corner.

“I needed those loan moves and they’ve helped me so much.”

Barnes and his Colchester team-mates have now turned their attentions to their match at Mansfield Town, tomorrow.

The U’s will be looking to continue their solid start to the new League Two campaign, where they have taken four points from a possible six.

He added: “It’ll be tough at Mansfield but we know what we’re going to get and what we need to do to get a result.

“We’ve had two clean sheets and we’ll be looking for more.”