Lewis Kinsella has vowed to add more consistency to his game after agreeing a new contract to stay at Colchester United.

The former Aston Villa youngster has put pen to paper on a new deal to remain at the Weston Homes Community Stadium for a further 12 months.

Kinsella made more than a dozen appearances for the U’s at the start of the last campaign, after joining them on a free transfer last summer.

But the 22-year-old missed a large chunk of the campaign after suffering an ankle injury against Newport County, last October.

Kinsella is now back and raring to go for the new season – and will strive to be a dependable performance for Colchester in the forthcoming League Two campaign.

Kinsella told the Daily Gazette: “Consistency is the main thing for me now and that is what I want to improve on.

“I want to be a player who is a consistent seven out of ten or more in every single game and someone who the manager (John McGreal) and Bally (Steve Ball) can trust.

“I really enjoyed my time in the team in the early part of last season and I felt I did well.

“It was my first full season of men’s football and I was playing regularly, so to get the injury was very frustrating.

“I wanted to play the whole season and it left me worried about the contract situation, so I’m very happy to sign.

“I just want to be playing football – I’m 23 years old in September that some of the other lads who are 19 and 20 have already played 100 games plus.

“I’ve been at Colchester for nearly a year now and I feel a bit more comfortable here now.

“The pressure’s off in terms of trying to get to know everyone and everyone knows what I can bring.”

“Maybe this year I can become more of a leader on the pitch and support and help the boys a bit more.”

Kinsella says he was determined to report for pre-season in good shape, having worked hard on his fitness over the summer.

“I missed four months of last season so I didn’t feel like I should have had a break like everyone else,” said Kinsella, who made 15 appearances for Colchester last season.

“I feel in good shape and training has gone well so far.”

Kinsella was one of three players to yesterday agree new one-year contracts with Colchester.

Drey Wright and Kane Vincent-Young have also penned deals to stay put until 2018.

Kinsella added: “I’ve worked really hard over the summer and I am happy to play anywhere, whether the manager sees me as a full-back, a wing-back or a left-sided centre-back.

“I want to make whichever position the manager wants me to play in my own.”