COLCHESTER United captain Luke Prosser says there is no better feeling than going up through the play-offs.

And the two-time League Two promotion winner says the U’s growing momentum can give them a great chance of tasting Wembley glory.

Prosser, currently sidelined with a knee injury, knows what it takes to go up through the play-offs, having helped Southend United win their final against Wycombe Wanderers, in 2015.

And with Colchester just two points adrift of the top-seven places with three games remaining, the 28-year-old is hoping they will be the team with the impetus required to clinch a League One return.

Prosser told the Daily Gazette: “Going up via the play-offs is the best way to do it.

“Don’t get me wrong, getting a couple of extra weeks off with automatic promotion is nice but there’s no better feeling than going up at Wembley.

“I think momentum is key for any team pushing for the play-offs.

“There’s always a team that comes into it late and hopefully, that will be us.

“It goes without saying that the next couple of games for us are massive but I don’t think we should fear anyone.

“At one stage during our game at Morecambe on Monday, we were seventh in the table but conceded a late goal.

“I know all of the boys were gutted not to win but we have to stay positive.

“It’s still all to play for and the boys are all optimistic.

“It’s another big game for us against Plymouth on Saturday and our home form has got us to where we are in the league, so hopefully there’ll be a big crowd there supporting us.”

Prosser has missed the last five months of the season after undergoing knee surgery, last November.

The former Port Vale defender recently spent time at the National Football Centre at St George’s Park and will return there next week for four days, as he continues his rehabilitation.

Prosser added: “I enjoyed it last time I went – it’s a change of four walls and it was good to be around other players from different clubs and backgrounds who are going through the same thing, as we’re all in the same boat.

“It’s also good to get another opinion on your running and your fitness.

“The facilities are fantastic there and they really look after you.

“I was hoping to start running when I was there but there said I wasn’t quite there yet.

“If I can start doing that next week that would be fantastic but I still have around three months until pre-season and these things take time.

“The bone has healed so now it’s just a case of getting the leg as strong as I can.

“It’s a week by week thing and can be a slow process.

“I want it to happen straight away but it’s not as easy as that and the good thing is that I’m progressing and time is on my side.”