Colchester United loanee Elliott Hewitt wants to boost his chances of playing a part in Ipswich Town’s promotion push.

The right-back made his U’s debut in their Johnstone’s Paint Trophy penalty shoot-out exit against Gillingham, on Tuesday night.

Hewitt, 20, has joined the U’s on a month’s loan and is hoping to gain match time after losing his place in Mick McCarthy’s starting line-up.

Hewitt said: “I just want to get a run of games while I’m at Colchester, which will help to get my fitness up.

“The gaffer at Ipswich told me that it was a good time for me to go out on loan.

“I’m here for a month and it’s a good time for me to do it, with the international break.

“I started the season for Ipswich out of position on the right-wing and felt that I did alright there.

“I then went out of the side and they went on an unbeaten run, so I can’t really complain about not starting because all of the boys are playing well.

“It’s a lot better to play in the league than to play in under-21 games.

“Hopefully, I can keep my place in the Colchester team and we can get some good results while I’m here.

“I think we can move up the table, if we play like we did against Gillingham.”

Hewitt, who started his career at Macclesfield Town, made his Ipswich debut in December 2012 and has made 16 appearances for them to date.

He played four times for Town in a right-wing position, at the start of the season.

But he said: “Right-back is the position that I prefer to play in.

“All of the young players here just want to play football, so the style of play here sorts us all.

“I could see that passing style that Colchester have in pre-season, when we played here in a pre-season friendly.”

Hewitt provided the assist for Freddie Sears’ late equaliser against Gillingham and U’s boss Tony Humes was pleased with his display.

Humes said: “It was Elliott’s first game with us and he played ever so well.

“We’re delighted with the way that he has fitted in with the squad.

“It’s good for him to get some senior football and everybody can see why we brought him in.”

For all of the latest Colchester United news, including Duguid's Diary, see Thursday's Daily Gazette.