Lewis Kinsella is pretty philosophical about his recent absence from Colchester United’s starting line-up.

But at the same time, the left-back acknowledges that it is imperative he makes the right impression when any opportunities do come his way.

Kinsella knows he is one of a number of candidates challenging for a left-sided berth in John McGreal’s side, with Kane Vincent-Young, Cole Kpekawa, Drey Wright and Kyel Reid also having played as either a full-back or wing-back there, this season.

That has resulted in the former Aston Villa youngster finding his appearances for the U’s limited so far, with just four league starts to his name so far.

Nevertheless, Kinsella impressed after coming on as a first-half substitute for the injured Vincent-Young in the 2-1 victory at Newport County, on Tuesday.

And he knows that when his chance arrives, he has to take it with both hands.

Kinsella said: “It’s hard when you’re not playing but you can only worry about yourself and when I’ve been given the opportunity, I think I’ve done OK.

“I think I had one shaky game at Cambridge but apart from that I think I’ve done well.

“But when Kane, Drey, Cole and Kyel have played the way they have, they have to play because they’ve been on fire and I have to bide my time and wait for my opportunity.

“They’ve been exceptional when they’ve come in and you can hold your hands up and say ‘they’ve been playing better than I have and they deserve to be playing’.

“But when it’s my time, I have to make the same impression as they have and give it everything.

“The manager has got some tough decisions and the more competitive it is for places, the better it is for him.”

Kinsella is currently walking a suspension tightrope, with four yellow cards to his name already this season after picking up another booking at Newport.

The 23-year-old admits he must cut out the cards – but insists he will always give the maximum effort in every game.

Kinsella said: “I don’t think of myself as a hard man – I play fair but I do put everything into it and do everything to try and get the three points.

“I’ll always put in everything and if I didn’t do that, I’d be really disappointed with myself.

“I need to stop getting yellow cards but that’s the way I play and the way I’ve always played, on the front foot.

“I probably need a bit more consistency and be better going forward.

“I would probably say that at the minute, I’m a better left-back than a left wing-back but since the last couple of games I’ve played there, I feel like I’ve adapted to the role and feel more comfortable there.”

“I played a few games at Kidderminster on loan there and hopefully I can start expressing myself more in the position.

“Especially away from home, I have a defensive mindset anyway so my first thought all my life has been to defend first and give it to the attacking players. “But at home it’s different, because we’re on the front foot.”