MILES Welch-Hayes insists he welcomes the fierce battle for Colchester United’s right-back spot.

Welch-Hayes is currently engaged in a competitive three-way tussle for the U’s full-back role, along with Junior Tchamadeu and Cameron Coxe.

The 25-year-old returned to Colchester’s starting line-up last month, following a two-month lay-off with a hamstring injury.

Welch-Hayes has started the U’s last two League Two games but has found himself on the bench for their last two matches, against AFC Sudbury in the FA Cup and Ipswich Town, in the Papa John’s Trophy.

Tchamadeu has started ahead of him at right-back in those games but Welch-Hayes says he is embracing the battle for a place in Hayden Mullins’ starting line-up.

Welch-Hayes said: “I like the competition – I think it’s good to have a few people there.

“It makes you stay on top of your game and if you haven’t got anyone there, it’s maybe a mental thing thinking ‘oh, I’m going to play regardless of how I play’.

“I obviously give 100 per cent every game but it’s good to have that little bit more pressure to make you stay on the front foot and to keep performing.”

Welch-Hayes has started six games for Colchester so far, this season.

The vast majority of his appearances for the U’s have come at right-back but the former Macclesfield Town and Oxford City defender has also shown in the past that he is capable of playing elsewhere, having also been utilised as a centre-back.

Welch-Hayes insists he is happy to play wherever Mullins sees fit, if it means being in his starting line-up.

“I’ll play wherever the gaffer wants me to play but I like playing full-back,” said Welch-Hayes, who made his 50th appearance for the U’s in their recent game against Scunthorpe.

“I’m comfortable playing on the right of the three as well and I’ve even played left-back for other teams, so I don’t really mind where I play as long as I play.”

Colchester are now preparing for a trip to play managerless Stevenage, this weekend.

The U’s were without a game at the weekend, due to their scheduled trip to play Forest Green Rovers being postponed due to international call-ups.

Colchester are unbeaten in their last three matches in all competitions and Welch-Hayes says the squad are in good spirits, ahead of a busy forthcoming schedule.

Welch-Hayes added: “We’ve got a bit of momentum now and training has been good.”