ALISTAIR Smith insists he is relishing the challenge of trying to keep Colchester United in League Two ahead of his return to former club Sutton United this weekend.

Smith is preparing to go back to Gander Green Lane for the first time since leaving Sutton last summer, as the U’s go in search of a vital victory in their bid to pull away from League Two relegation danger.

Colchester sit seven points above the drop zone with 14 games remaining and take on a Sutton side who are bottom of the table and seven points adrift from safety.

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Smith, who played 78 times for Sutton between 2021 and 2023 before leaving to join Lincoln City, says he is thriving under the pressure of keeping the U’s in the EFL.

Smith said: “There’s no hiding from the position right now.

“Every game is going to be a pressure game and games where we’re going to need to take points to get safe.

“That’s a challenge that every footballer wants; you don’t want to be playing for nothing, like a pre-season game.

“You would rather be playing under pressure and that’s where the real characters step up.

“I had two really good seasons at Sutton and League Two is definitely not foreign to me.”

Gazette:

Smith has started all four of Colchester’s games since joining them on loan from Lincoln, last month.

The 24-year-old midfielder has already made a positive impact and says he is enjoying playing under Danny and Nicky Cowley.

“Colchester is a place which I think is on the up with an excellent manager and assistant manager that really know their stuff and have had a great managerial career and there’s loads of talented players,” said Smith, who started his career at Mansfield Town.

“Their energy is infectious; I found that straight away from the first phone call with the gaffer.

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“I got nothing but good vibes and good energy and it sort of made my mind up.

“It’s certainly something that a player wants to be around and I’ve fitted in straight away.

“Throughout my career so far, I’ve gone off the feel and the vibe you get from people – I think that stands you in good stead.

“The position in the league doesn’t reflect the size of the club.

“It’s a great stadium, great fanbase and just look at the facilities that are really good as well.

“I played against Colchester quite a few times for Sutton and I know the fans are great.”