MATT Briggs wants to make up for lost time and play a belated part in Colchester United’s promotion push.

The defender has had an injury-ravaged campaign, following a hip operation which also affected him at the last term.

He made his long-awaited first appearance in the 1-1 draw at Blackpool on February 4 and now, having featured in the next seven games, he is determined to help Colchester secure a League Two play-off berth.

“It was so frustrating for me, suffering my injury at the back end of last season,” said the 26-year-old.

“I had to have an operation and even since then I’ve had setbacks.

“But now I’m back and hungry to do well, determined to do my bit to help the team get promoted.

“After my first game back, I was knackered but now I feel good – like I’d normally feel in pre-season.

“I feel great and, as a team, it feels like things are building nicely.

“We’re looking at the play-offs but an automatic spot is still possible.

“We’ll take it game by game and see where it takes us in the next few weeks.

“It’s in our hands and we’ve got to concentrate, be disciplined and really push the sides above us.

“We’ve got to make sure we do all the right things on and off the pitch and hopefully if we do that, we’ll get the results we need.

“After a few seasons fighting relegation and then eventually going down, it would be great to get promoted this season.

“All the lads are pushing for that and, on a personal note, what happened last season (going down) definitely makes me more determined to go up.

“No-one wants to get relegated and no-one wants it on their CV.

“For me personally, I’ve never been part of a team that gets promoted so it’s something I’d love to achieve with Colchester.”

Briggs is known as a left-back but has slotted into the U’s three-man defence in recent weeks, playing alongside George Elokobi and Cameron James.

He says it is a position he enjoys, although he has to be careful not to attack at the wrong times.

“I’m enjoying it. It’s a position that suits me,” he said.

“I started as a centre-half during my academy days but was always attack-minded and felt I had more to offer in a wider role.

“Naturally, I want to go forward and sometimes I see space ahead of me and want to run into it.

“But I have to look over my shoulder and see what’s going on behind me.

“I have to keep my discipline and stay back.

“George has got a lot of experience.

“He’s great to play alongside because he’s always talking to me.

“If I’m not in the right position, he’ll tell me where I should be.

“Cam has also done a great job since coming into the team.

“Hopefully he can keep it up because I believe he’s got a really bright future.”

Colchester return to the Weston Homes Community Stadium for a mouth-watering match against Portsmouth tomorrow.

A big crowd is expected, with both teams harbouring strong promotion ambitions.

Colchester are ninth in the table, three points adrift of the play-offs, while Pompey moved third on Tuesday night, following a 2-0 success at Crawley Town.

“Our fans have been great. They travelled in numbers to Cambridge last weekend and that was a real boost for us players,” added Briggs, who joined Colchester on a free transfer in June 2015.

“It makes a big difference and gives you an extra boost, when there’s lots of people watching you.

“It gives you more adrenaline and extra energy.

“There should be another good atmosphere tomorrow and, with us being at home, we’re certainly going to go for it and won’t sit back.”