Kurtis Guthrie insists he is focused on returning to full fitness for the start of the new season – and staying at Colchester United.

The 24-year-old striker enjoyed an impressive first season for the U’s before it was cut short prematurely by an ankle injury, in February.

Guthrie bagged 12 goals for Colchester in his maiden campaign at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, with his form attracting admiring glances from other clubs.

But the Jersey-born attacker, who signed a two-year deal with Colchester after joining them from Forest Green Rovers, has stressed his main priority is to ensure he is fully fit for the start of the 2017-18 season.

Guthrie told the Daily Gazette: “I have another year on my contract at the club and moving on is not something that is on my mind at the moment.

“I need to focus on being fit and ready for the start of the new season.

“For me, the main thing is to be completely 100 per cent concentrating on being fit.”

Guthrie believes his first season as a Colchester player was a “defining” one in his career.

He made a good impression after returning to the Football League following a spell at Forest Green but experienced his ups and downs, throughout the season.

Guthrie was one of the U’s most consistent performers up until his injury but had to apologise after criticising the club’s supporters after a defeat at Yeovil Town, last November.

“It’s been a very interesting season,” said Guthrie.

“I’m sure that had I been able to finish the season, I’d have scored 20 goals or more.

“I think some people might think of me as having a bit of an attitude but at the end of the day I’m a winner and I want to do well.

“This season will be very beneficial for me and I’ll look back on this year as one which is a defining one in my career.

“The spell earlier in the season when we couldn’t win for love nor money was disappointing and that’s why I was so frustrated when I spoke after the Yeovil game.

“The reason I was upset after the game was because I knew that we couldn’t afford for that to continue if we wanted to get promoted.

“I was also disappointed in myself, because I felt like I should have scored more goals.”

Guthrie is on the road to recovery after undergoing surgery for an ankle injury sustained in Colchester’s 2-1 win over Hartlepool United, last February.

He is hopeful of returning for full pre-season training when the U’s squad report for duty, on June 28.

He added: “At first I was very down after suffering the injury because of the potential of the season and the impact I could have had for the team.

“It’s important to stay positive and as long as you believe in yourself, you can use your time wisely and productively and come back stronger.

“I’m working hard every day to come back from this.

“I went away for a few days initially and that was beneficial for me but I’ve been coming in and doing everything I can.

“I’ve not just been focusing on the ankle – I’ve also been focusing on other aspects such as the upper body and things I can improve on in the gym.

“It’s important to use this time wisely and that’s what I’m trying to do at the moment.”