WHEN Emyr Huws took to the pitch to make his Colchester United debut at Sutton United on Tuesday night, it was the first time he had played a competitive match for more than a year.

So his appearance for the U’s at Gander Green Lane was a poignant moment for the midfielder, after he took some time out of the professional game.

Huws’ last game had been in a League One match for Ipswich Town against Swindon Town on January 9, 2021.

The 28-year-old has been without a club since leaving Town last summer and says he has benefited from his spell out of the game.

“I’d probably like to say it was a bit of a sabbatical, where I felt I needed time to reassess what I needed to do,” said Huws, who joined Colchester on a short-term deal until the end of the season last week.

“It was definitely the right thing to do and I’m glad I followed my instincts to do it, because it was time that I needed to reassess and I’m happy with where I’m at now.

“Football is a great job; there are so many negatives you could mention but it’s a great job and we’re lucky.

“You’ve got to take the rough with the smooth, keep perspective and keep trying your hardest.

“I’ve worked hard behind the scenes on my fitness and I felt it was the right time to get back into football.”

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Huws played the entire 90-plus minutes for Colchester against Sutton, no mean feat considering how long it had been since he had last played a competitive match.

“I kind of knew I’d be fine,” said Huws, who has made 11 appearances for Wales.

“I’ve put in a lot of work so it was what I expected, although it was quite a physical game.

“It’s been a while but I’m glad to be back playing football, with a great group of lads.

“I’m really happy to join and give my all for the club.

“I know it seems like all doom and gloom but I don’t see it that way.

“We’ve got to look forward and the only way is up.”

He only signed for them last week, but much has happened since Huws linked up with Colchester.

Wayne Brown has taken over as interim head coach, following the departure of Hayden Mullins and Alex Dyer on Wednesday.

The dismissal of the U’s coaching duo following the 3-2 defeat at Sutton is a particularly poignant one for Huws, who played alongside Mullins at Birmingham and under Dyer, who was assistant manager at Huddersfield Town.

Speaking prior to their departure, Huws said: “I did have other offers before I signed for Colchester but I know Hayden, Al and the boys and the environment is really great.

“They’re great boys and it’s good to be back with them.

“I was really keen to come and play for Colchester.

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“It’s a great club and I think we have got potential in the squad to do a lot better than the league is showing, at the minute.

“It’s a really good squad – I think it’s just those margins in both boxes.

“We’ve just got to keep working on those margins, because it’s a fine line in football.

“I think the results will come.

“They’re a great group of lads who have been really welcoming and I think there’s definitely talent and ability in the squad.

“It was a tough game coming up against Sutton and there’s a reason why they’re doing quite well.

“Conceding a last-minute winner was tough but we’ve got to look at what we did well, what we can do better and go again.”

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Huws will be aiming to keep his place in Colchester’s starting line-up for their game at Salford City tomorrow.

The U’s will be hoping to end a run of five successive defeats at Moor Lane, in Brown’s first game in temporary charge.

“You don’t want to dwell on things, because that isn’t good for anyone,” added the former Manchester City youngster.

“We have to keep positive, because it’s a really talented group of players.

“I think it’s only a matter of time before results come and we sort those margins out, in both boxes.

“We get emotional and it’s a results-driven sport but we need everyone behind us and pulling in the same direction, to get some momentum to win some games and I think that will come.

“We’ve just got to focus on what we can control, which is working hard in the week, working hard in training and looking forward to the next game, because that’s all we can control.

“We’ll try and learn from mistakes and what we could have done better and put that towards the next few weeks.”