JACK Curtis wants to become the latest of Colchester United’s young guns to make his Football League breakthrough.

And the 20-year-old is hoping to continue his progression under new first-team coach John McGreal, having played under him at academy level for several years.

Curtis recently joined the likes of Drey Wright and Dillon Barnes in agreeing to stay at Colchester, having signed a new one-year deal at the club.

Having made his first-team debut for the U’s as a substitute in the FA Cup last season, the attacking midfielder wants to become a regular first-team squad member in League Two.

Curtis told the Daily Gazette: “I’m hoping to get into the first team and get a few games under my belt.

“I’m 21 next year and I need experience of knowing how the game works.

“I’ve played a lot of under-21 games last year under John McGreal and I know him from playing at under-15 level and upwards.

“I’ve sat down with him and we’ve talked about what I need to do to break into the first team.

“He knows a lot about me and I know how he works as a coach, so hopefully that’ll be an advantage.

“I loved it when I was with the first-team squad and that’s where I aim to be.

“It was an unbelievable feeling when I made my debut in the FA Cup at Wealdstone.

“I’ve seen the likes of Sammie Szmodics and Tom Lapslie do well for the first team and I want to be in and around the boys who are there already and be at the same level as they are, so it’s about working hard and trying to break in.

“I’ve been around them since I was young – I’ve seen them progress to the first team and I want to do the same.

“It’s a huge incentive for young players at Colchester to know that if you do well enough, you’ll get a chance at senior level.”

Curtis is determined to hit the ground running and impress McGreal when he returns for pre-season with the rest of the Colchester squad, later this month.

“If you do well in pre-season and show that you’re fit and strong, there’s no reason why you can’t put yourself in the frame,” added former Spurs academy player Curtis, who will be embarking on his sixth season with the U’s.

“With every season, there’s a feeling of a fresh start but I think it’s there more than ever this time.

“We have a new coach in charge and we’re in a new division – hopefully, things will fall into place and it’ll be our year.”