AARON Collins has vowed to force his way into Colchester United’s league starting line-up after opening his goal account with the club.

The Wolves loanee bagged his first U’s goal in their 2-0 win over Essex rivals Southend United in their Checkatrade Trophy Group B clash, on Tuesday night.

Collins’ opportunities at Colchester so far have been limited and his appearance against Blues was only his fourth start for John McGreal’s side since joining them on loan, in June.

The 21-year-old forward admits finding himself out of the team has been frustrating – but has vowed to push for a place in their League Two line-up.

He told the Daily Gazette: “I haven’t had as minutes as I’d have wished so far this season but it was good to start my goal account.

“It’s been frustrating after starting the first game and doing well but not playing as much as I’d have wished since.

“But it’s a long season – I’m here for the season and I just have to bide my time.

“I know that my time will come – I performed well (against Southend) and they’re the chances I have to take to prove to the manager that I should be in the team.

“Playing in these games, we have to perform to our best and prove to the manager why we should be in the team.

“That’s all you can do and it’s the manager’s decision.

“It was good to get my first goal for the club - I got on the ball as much as I could and created chances.”

Collins scored Colchester’s second goal in their win over Southend, converting from Mika Mandron’s pass following a good team move.

It followed up Frankie Kent’s opener for the U’s, just before half-time.

“The team played well and it was a good performance by us all,” said former Newport County attacker Collins.

“We scored two goals, kept a clean sheet and won a cup game.

“We played well in the first half but it was harder to break them down, with their three at the back.

“In the second half, we found more space.

“They went to a four at the back after going 1-0 down and we found more room.

“We could have scored more goals but we got the victory in the end.”

Colchester are now one of four teams level on the same number of points in Checkatrade Trophy Group B, ahead of their final group match at Joe Dunne’s Cambridge United side on November 13.

Collins added: “It was good to win the game because now everyone is on three points, in our group.

“We know that if we win our game against Cambridge next month then we’re through.

“We want to go through and do as well as we can.”