MILES Welch-Hayes has been on both sides of FA Cup upsets, during his career.

So the Colchester United right-back is well qualified to talk about how to approach their big first-round tie against underdogs AFC Sudbury, tomorrow night.

Welch-Hayes was in the Oxford City side that stunned the U's at the JobServe Community Stadium at this stage of the competition, back in 2017.

But three years later, he was on the other side of a giantkilling as part of the Colchester side who were humbled in a penalty shoot-out at the hands of eighth tier Marine, at the same venue.

“It’s one of those where everyone wants the underdogs to win," said Welch-Hayes.

“We need to approach it right and we obviously don’t want what happened last season when we lost to Marine to happen again.

"So we have to approach this game like any other game and go and get the win.

“Everyone wants us to lose and it’s the FA Cup – everyone wants the underdogs to do well.

“But we need to approach it right and get the job done.

“It’s a game of football and anyone can win.

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Leap - Miles Welch-Hayes in action for Oxford City against Colchester, in 2017 Picture: SEANA HUGHES

“We’re the favourites and we should be able to go and get the job done but it’s the FA Cup and a lot of the lower league teams do go on and get results.

“We need to approach it like every other game and go and win.

“We want to have a good run.

“We got a good win last Saturday (against Scunthorpe) and I think we need to take that performance into this.

“Everyone has prepped right so we need to approach it like any other game and go and get the job done."

Welch-Hayes is back in Colchester's starting line-up following a two-month lay-off with a hamstring injury.

The 25-year-old has started the U's last two League Two games and is hoping to keep his place for tomorrow's televised showdown with AFC Sudbury.

“It’s been tough," said Welch-Hayes, who made his 50th appearance for the U's against Scunthorpe, last weekend.

“I’ve never pulled a muscle in my life and then I go and pull a hamstring twice in a month.

“But I’m back strong and I’m feeling fit.

“I played 90 minutes against Scunthorpe and 90 minutes last Tuesday (against Sutton) so I feel fully fit now and it’s good to be back.

“I just need to stay on top of it and be consistent.

“I was out for three to four weeks and then I did my last couple of runs in my last running session and everything was fine and then I pulled up.

“That set me back a couple of weeks but I didn’t feel like I rushed it; I felt good within myself.

“I’m feeling 100 per cent fit within myself which is good.

“I feel like my season hasn’t started yet, as obviously I’ve had setbacks and I need to get a good run of games again and be consistent.

“I feel like I’ve still got a lot to show.

“I’ve been out for a while but I’m feeling good, so I just need to build it up and keep being consistent and get a run of games.

“I feel like I’ve got more hunger having been out for a month or two."