FIACRE Kelleher is determined to fight for a place in Colchester United’s starting line-up and put pressure on those who already have the shirt.

The 28-year-old defender capped an impressive all-round display with the winning goal in the U’s 2-1 victory over MK Dons in their Bristol Street Motors Trophy group opener, on Tuesday night.

Kelleher’s game time has been limited so far this season, with the Irishman yet to start a game in League Two.

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However, he staked his claim for a starting spot with his display against MK Dons and is eager to put pressure on those currently in front of him, in the pecking order.

Kelleher said: “I want to play every week and when I get a chance, I need to show that I want to be in the team.

“I back myself as a defender and my position is usually quite similar and when I haven’t played for a while, it’s to rely on those things and show my qualities.

“We’re paid to be footballers, so if you’re not pushing to be in the team, you’re not doing your job right.

“It’s important that we push those lads who are in the starting XI and let them know that we’re right on their shoulders.”

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

Kelleher had recently been suffering with a knee injury but has recovered now and looking for more minutes.

“My knee seems to be alright now,” said the former Celtic youngster.

“The last two weeks have been tough; I’ve been training hard and maybe sometimes, you don’t get the reward that you want but you have to stick at it.

“The gaffer let me know a few days ago that I was going to play, so it was just about getting myself in the right frame of mind to go out and show him that I can still do a job.

“It keeps the pressure on the boys who are playing and that’s all I can do.”

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Kelleher is hoping the win over MK Dons will be a good confidence boost for Colchester, ahead of their home clash with Tranmere Rovers, this weekend.

The U’s were dealt a blow last weekend when they relinquished a two-goal lead to draw at ten-man Morecambe but bounced back with a morale-boosting victory.

Kelleher added: “I was delighted to score and it’s good to get a win after the weekend.

“It’s good for everybody inside the changing room, just to get that feeling back.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

“It’ll lift the mood around the place.

“We had a meeting on Monday and that was some hard lessons and I suppose the feeling in the changing room was a little bit down but coming in on Thursday now, I think we’ll be full of energy and ready to attack the game on Saturday.

“At moments, we had to dig in and show a lot of grit and it was very tough in the first half but we were delighted to get the win.

“It helps us to get over the Morecambe game quicker but we’ll still take the learning from it.

“There’s nothing like a league game, as this (the EFL Trophy) doesn’t match that intensity but it is a good place to start and we move on to Saturday now.”