COLCHESTER United new boy Sam Hornby admits he was still getting used to his team-mates’ names when he took to the pitch for his debut.

The 26-year-old goalkeeper was handed his first U’s bow against Rochdale in midweek, little more than 24 hours after joining them from League Two rivals Bradford City on loan for the rest of the season on transfer deadline day.

Hornby played his part in helping Colchester claim a point in a 1-1 draw against Dale, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Hornby told Col U TV: “It was nice to get selected on Tuesday night and play the first game.

“Monday was a light day so I was still getting used to names and stuff on Tuesday night when I turned up and saw them on the board!

“It was nice to get that one out of the way I have to say, with names and stuff still fairly fresh in my mind.

“I think it’s just a case of settling in and getting to know everyone, what their styles are and how they play.

“You can only really do that when you’re on the training pitch and training day in, day out.”

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Hornby is now preparing to face Leyton Orient on Saturday, as Colchester aim to extend their unbeaten run to four matches under interim head coach Wayne Brown.

The former Port Vale goalkeeper is set to start again between the sticks, with Shamal George still suspended following his red card in the 1-1 draw against Swindon Town.

Colchester are eight points above the relegation zone heading into the game and looking to climb the table but keeper Hornby says there are taking one match at a time.

He added: “We park Tuesday night behind us and look at where we can improve on and then go forward then onto the weekend.

“It’s a game to look forward to.

“I think you’ve got to take it game by game, because there’s so many games on Saturday-Tuesday and there’s loads of fixtures coming up.

“Good performances will hopefully mean good results and then naturally, that looks after itself and you just pick up points and then move on.”