Sam Walker admits he did not think in his “wildest dreams” that he would play every minute of the League Two campaign for Colchester United.

The popular U’s goalkeeper started and finished every single league match for John McGreal’s side this season, having missed almost the whole of the previous year with a serious knee injury.

Walker was a consistent performer for Colchester, helping them finish eighth in the table and just a point off the play-off places.

The 25-year-old played a big part in the U’s keeping 12 clean sheets and says he is proud of his achievement of playing in every minute of every single match.

Walker told the Daily Gazette: “I didn’t really start the season with too many goals.

“My main goal was to make sure that I was physically fit.

“I didn’t expect in my wildest dreams that I would end up playing in every minute of every league game.

“To have done that is really special for me and I’m proud of the way I’ve come back.

“After the final game of the season against Yeovil, I made a point of getting the manager (John McGreal), the assistant manager (Steve Ball), (goalkeeper coach) George Bankole, (head physio) Tony Flynn and (sport scientist) Stef Russo together and thanking them for the way that they have helped me.

“It was very much a team effort.”

Walker spent nearly a year recovering from the cruciate ligament injury he suffered in a Capital One Cup tie against Reading in August, 2015.

It was a long road back for the former Chelsea youngster but the Colchester shot-stopper said he feels tougher for the experience.

“I’m mentally stronger because I know that I’ve come through the worst period of my career,” said Walker, who is contracted to Colchester until 2018.

“Whenever there are times that are bad, I think back to last year and how tough it was and there’s nothing worse than watching your team struggle, like we did last season.

“I also think I’m physically stronger after last year, having done a lot of extra work in the gym during that time.

“I do think I came back better and stronger.

“Playing every minute of every game is something that I pride myself on and I just want to play game after game.

“I know that if I can look after myself, I am capable of playing in every game.”