JAMIE McDonnell might be only 20 years old but he has already shown that he is capable of making an impact on the EFL stage with Colchester United.

The on-loan Nottingham Forest youngster made an impressive first-ever league start for the U’s in their 1-1 draw with Chesterfield on Tuesday night; indeed, it looked like he had been playing in their midfield for years.

“Every time you get the opportunity, you always need to try and impress and play with the shackles off and as much confidence as you can, so you can get the best out of yourself,” said McDonnell.

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“It’s always good to step up and challenge yourself.

“You always have to play with a confidence and a belief in yourself, to know what you’re capable of.”

McDonnell was one of two Colchester players making their first-ever league starts, in midweek.

Along with fellow youngster Oscar Thorn, it was a new experience for the Northern Ireland under-21 international but one that he relished.

McDonnell said: “Getting that first league start was unbelievable for me.

“It was brilliant, just getting that experience in the league.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

“It’s never really happened before in my career so far and I’m used to playing against younger players, so I really enjoyed making the step up to playing men’s football.

“You’re playing with and against players who have played in the top division, like Lyle Taylor.

“The gaffer has been telling me to be ready over the last few weeks and once your chance comes, take it.

“All of the midfielders in the squad are absolutely top class, so it’s about embracing that challenge and trying to be better than them – that’s what drives the whole group along.

“Every time I go on the pitch, I try and do my best and perform for the team.”

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McDonnell is on a season-long loan at Colchester from Forest, having joined them on deadline day.

In joining the U’s, he was reunited with his Forest and Northern Ireland under-21 team-mate Aaron Donnelly, who is also on loan from the Reds and is someone he is close too, on and off the pitch.

McDonnell said: “I’ve been with Aaron since the age of 14 coming through the age groups, in Northern Ireland.

“We both ended up joining Nottingham Forest; he was the year before me but then I joined after him.

“Having a mate there throughout your whole career is brilliant, having that voice; even if you’re having a bad day, you can always rely on him to back you up and he’s there 24/7.

(Image: MATT WILKINSON)

“Settling into a new group is always hard, meeting new faces and older men – it’s different to what you’re used to but being here together, it’s easier to break in.

“I was up in Nottingham with an injury when Aaron joined Colchester but he spoke really well about it straight away.”

McDonnell has been a regular in Forest’s Premier League side’s under-21 team over the past two seasons, having joined them in the summer of 2020 from Glentoran.

He skippered the Reds under-18s side when they got to the FA Youth Cup Final and lost 3-1 to Manchester United, in the 2021-22 season.

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McDonnell said: “We were kind of the underdogs that season but we played together as a team the whole way through, beating teams like Chelsea and Blackburn who were high up in the academy leagues.

“We found ourselves in the final at Old Trafford in front of 67,000 – it was an experience I’ll never forget.

“Forest have just said ‘you’re doing well, keep going’.

“I know they believe in me – I’ve been up there for four years and they know what I’m capable of.”

McDonnell is hoping to keep his place in Colchester’s starting line-up for their home clash with Salford City tomorrow (12.30pm kick-off).

McDonnell added: “We had a good result at Chesterfield, with a good defensive display.

“If we can perform the way we know we can as a team, I think we can get it over the line.”