LUKE Prosser says he is relishing the opportunity to lead Colchester United’s challenge in League Two this season.

Prosser was appointed as U’s skipper by head coach John McGreal just before the start of the new campaign and has led by example in their opening five league and cup games so far.

Despite only being 28 years old, Prosser is one of the most experienced players in the Colchester squad.

And the central defender says he is enjoying captaining a U’s side who are striving to return to League One at the first time of asking.

Prosser said: “I’m really enjoying being captain.

“There’s a bit more responsibility on the pitch and I’m enjoying playing football again.

“When you’ve got a good dressing room, it’s easier to settle and we’ve got that here.

“I had that at Northampton Town last season and Southend was good too so I think if there’s a good atmosphere in the dressing room, it’s easier to walk into the squad.

“We’ve all been in the same position where we’ve been the new player coming in, so it’s been going really well.”

Colchester have made a promising start to the new League Two season and lie in fifth spot, having taken seven points from their opening four games.

The U’s suffered their first league defeat of the season when they were beaten 2-0 at promotion favourites Portsmouth last weekend.

But Prosser, who has won promotion from the fourth tier with both Southend and Northampton, feels it might still be a little too early to judge who will be challenging near the top, come the end of the campaign.

“It’s early days and teams are still finding their feet,” added Prosser.

“League Two will be a really tough league this year, I’ve no doubt about that.

“But so far, a few of the big boys have struggled to find their feet a bit early on.

“I think in a couple of weeks’ time, you’ll start to see the top ten teams and who’s going to be up there this year and hopefully, we’ll be one of them.”

Prosser has started every league and cup game for Colchester so far.

However, the former Port Vale defender faces competition for his place from the likes of Alex Wynter and Frankie Kent and says it is important to have players challenging to be in the starting line-up.

Prosser added: “There are a lot of boys on the sidelines who are chomping at the bit to get going and there’s some really good defenders, waiting to get their chance.

“We know that we have to be on top of our game to keep the boys out and there’s a lot of competition for places, which is good.”