Luckless Colchester United midfielder Doug Loft feared he had punctured his lung after missing the start of the new season.

But the U’s man insists he is now fully fit again and desperate to feature for John McGreal’s side in their League Two clash at Luton Town, this weekend.

Loft suffered a painful blow to the ribs in Colchester’s final friendly of the summer against his former club Gillingham which caused him to miss their opening two games against Accrington Stanley and Aston Villa.

But the 29-year-old returned to the fray as a late substitute in the U’s 1-1 draw with Stevenage, last weekend.

And Loft, who missed almost the whole of last season due to injury, insists he is raring to go again.

Loft told the Daily Gazette: “I got a knee in my ribs - to be honest, I’ve punctured my lung in the past and I thought that had happened again.

“I literally couldn’t breathe but it was bruised ribs.

“I’ve been struggling but thankfully, they’ve settled down and I’ve managed to get out there again.

“I worked so hard on my fitness in the off season and I came back feeling very fit.

“I felt I played really well in pre-season but that’s the kind of luck I’ve had over the last year.

“That kind of thing can only happen to me but I’ll play over 40 games this season.

“I’m positive that I’m going to have a very good season and that I have a big part to play.

“I’m confident in what I do and that I can stay fit, so I’m looking forward to it and hopefully, I can play a part at Luton on Saturday.”

Loft played for the final 12 minutes of Colchester’s draw with Stevenage, which saw them register their first point of the season.

“We showed good character to come back and get a draw.

“We’ll work on it and we’ll go to Luton looking to get the three points.

“Stevenage were probably on top in the first half but I think in the second half, we were the better team.

“We showed good spirit and I think we had a couple of chances to nick it at the end.

“Everyone was disappointed after the game, because we felt we should have won.

“I always take the positives and I think there were some good performances.

“For example, I thought Jacko (Ryan Jackson) was excellent and I thought Mika (Mandron) up front played well. too.