JEVANI Brown may only have been a Colchester United player for a few weeks, but he is already in no doubt about what the U's target should be this season.

The 24-year-old forward, who signed from Cambridge United in July, will be ready to make his U's debut tomorrow when Port Vale arrive at the JobServe Community Stadium for a League Two opener.

Colchester have lost just two of their opening day fixtures in the last ten years, drawing five in that time - including last year's goalless stalemate at Notts County - and winning three and they will be looking for another positive start this time.

The U's went desperately close to making it into the end-of-season play-offs last season, finishing in eighth place, and putting three points on the board early would be a boost to their ambitions of going further in the forthcoming campaign.

Earning a spot in the top seven is a minimum for Brown and he said sights were very firmly set on a return to League One.

“Promotion is the main aim, this season – it’s as simple as that," said the U's new boy.

“The club only just missed out on the play-offs last season by one point and they were there until the 88th minute of the final game.

“It just shows how tight and tough this league is and you have to do that extra bit to get yourself out of it."

Brown admitted that leaving Cambridge had been tough as they had been a club who gave him his chance to shine as a Football League player, but he was delighted to come to Colchester as he felt head coach John McGreal employed a system that was ideal to his way of playing.

“Colchester’s style of play suits me very well," he added.

“I think I can get a lot out of that especially playing in League Two, where a lot of teams don’t really play as much football.

“Fair play to them and whatever suits you, suits you.

“But at Colchester, they try to play a lot and play through a ten which is my position so hopefully I can do the rest.

“I think my best performances have been from the number ten position – I can play out wide and I’ve done the odd shift up top on my own as well at Cambridge, last season.

“But if you asked me my best position, I would say it’s in the pocket."

McGreal, meanwhile, is equally pleased to have Brown on board and feels U's fans will quickly appreciate what he already knows about his new signing.

“I think we’re going to love the boy Jevani Brown," said the U's boss.

“I think you can see already what type of play he’s going to bring.

“I know it’s been pre-season and you don’t want to put too much extra pressure on him.

“But you can just see the different type of play he’s going to bring from what we had with Sammie Szmodics.

“Jevani brings something different – we’ve watched him for a couple of years now and we know what he’s about.

“He’s a special talent.

“You can see that with the way the Cambridge fans were when he came to us.

“We’re hoping that he won’t just bring assists but also get in and around the box as well, to score the goals for us."