CHRIS Porter believes Colchester United can challenge at the right end of the table next season – providing they keep their squad together.

The U’s finished the current campaign strongly, losing only two of their last ten matches and claiming eight points from a possible 12, in their final four games.

The upturn in form ultimately paved the way for Colchester to preserve their League One status, on the final day of the campaign.

And Porter is confident that the U’s can build on that final flourish and make progress, in the 2015-16 campaign.

He said: “If we can keep the nucleus of the team together, I think we’ve got a great chance next season.

“It’s a young team and there are some great players here. I honestly couldn’t believe they were where they were, once I’d come in and trained with the boys a few times.

“It’s a massive relief to still be a League One player and I really didn’t want to go down to League Two.

“No disrespect to that division but everyone wants to play at the highest level they can.”

Porter made 21 appearances for Colchester this season after joining them from divisional rivals Sheffield United in January.

The 31-year-old, who found the net seven times, says he is glad he quit the Blades and moved to the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

He said: “I’m absolutely made up with my decision and the fans and the management have been absolutely superb since I’ve been here.

“I could have stayed at Sheffield United even though I wasn’t playing and would have been in the play-offs.

“It was a big decision but I’m 31 now and I don’t want my career to just fizzle out and not be involved and just sit on the bench.

“Since I’ve been at Colchester, I’ve been fit and available for every game and I think I’ve only not started once.”