TYREIK Wright has set his sights on impressing for Colchester United - and catching the eye of Steven Gerrard in the process.

The 20-year-old winger, who joined the U's on loan from Premier League club Aston Villa last month, bagged his first goal for his new club in their 2-2 draw with Carlisle United.

Wright is keen to rack up more goals and assists between now and the end of the campaign for Colchester and help them preserve their League Two status.

And the promising attacker, who penned a new professional deal with the Midlands club last summer, is hoping that will help him eventually break into the Villa first-team squad, under boss Gerrard.

Wright said: "I've come out on loan to make an impact and try and get into the Aston Villa first team.

"That's my ambition but while I'm here, I'm going to make sure that I do everything to make sure that we stay in the league and contribute goals and assists.

"There's no point not having ambitions, in this game.

"If you don't aim for the heights, then there's no point in playing.

"My main ambition is to play Premier League football, whether it's Aston Villa or elsewhere."

Gazette:

Colchester are the second League Two team Wright has represented on loan this season.

He also made 18 league and cup appearances for Salford, in the first half of the current campaign.

The Republic of Ireland under-21 international also spent time on loan at Walsall, last season.

"It's definitely been beneficial to have the loans in League Two," said Wright, who was an ever-present for Villa's under-23s in the first half of last season before joining Walsall on loan.

"When I first went on loan, I couldn't wait to go on loan because I felt that 23s football wasn't competitive enough and I needed men's football.

"I haven't played as many games as I'd have liked this season but I'll do everything possible to play as many games as I can, between now and the end of the season.

"They're a great bunch of lads and I'm absolutely loving it and settled in well.

"The lads and the coaching staff have been excellent, so I'm really enjoying myself here."

Gazette:

Wright's strike against Carlisle was his first competitive goal since he netted against Newport County whole on loan at Salford, last August.

He blasted home after coming on as a second-half substitute for Tom Eastman, in the 2-2 draw.

He said: "I always want to start games but I need to make sure that I'm ready when called upon and I was happy to contribute with the goal.

"They said go and influence the game, get at your player and try and get a goal or an assist and that's what I did.

"I was absolutely over the moon with the goal, especially in front of the home fans as well.

"It's been a while since I scored, so that one definitely meant a lot to me.

"It was blocked a few times and finally I put it in, so I'm buzzing.

"I've come here to get goals and assists and get us up the table as much as possible.

"I've been frustrated that I haven't got enough goals and assists, so the goal definitely meant a lot to me.

"We're disappointed we didn't win but at least we got a point on the board.

"It felt like we'd lost the game - everyone's disappointed because it felt like we should have seen the game out.

"We'll look to the Northampton game and hopefully get three points."