Watt happy to play through pain barrier for the U's

The skilful forward admits he is still getting back on track having been hindered by a troublesome ankle injury over recent weeks.

Watt has been unable to train fully with the rest of the U’s squad and has been using an ice machine, in a bid to heal the injury.

However, the former Arsenal youngster was impressive in completing nearly 90 minutes in Colchester’s 1-1 draw with Carlisle United, last Friday.

And he is determined to keep his place in a U’s team who have made an encouraging start to the new League One campaign.

Watt said: “Even if I’m only 50 per cent fit, I want to play and try and help the team.

“I still miss days of training to make sure that my ankle is alright.

“But I’ve been icing my ankle and doing my strengthening.

“I can’t wait to train a full week and then play on a Saturday, with no holding back.

“It’s hard to say how long it will take before I can get back to the stage where I’m 100 per cent but I don’t want to miss one game.

“I missed our first game of the season at Gillingham and the way that I felt wasn’t nice.”

Watt says the U’s players are already looking forward to their big home clash with early League One leaders Leyton Orient, this weekend.

A big crowd is expected for the clash at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, as two of the division’s unbeaten sides go head to head.

“It’s a big game for us against Leyton Orient,” said Watt, who joined the U’s on a free transfer from Arsenal earlier this summer.

“We talked about it immediately after the Carlisle game in the changing room.

“It’s a game that we want to win and send out a message.

“We’re not going to lay down and die this season - we’re going to fight in every game we play.

“We just need to be more clinical and I include myself in that.

“Looking back on the Carlisle game we know we should have won but we’re focusing on the next game.”

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