In-form striker Freddie Sears admitted he cannot wait for the new season to start after bagging a brace against Derby County.

Sears’ fine double helped Colchester United hold their Championship visitors to a 2-2 draw, in their latest friendly at the Weston Homes Community Stadium .

Sears, who joined the U’s last month from West Ham United following his loan spell with them at the end of last season, has been in impressive form during pre-season.

And the 22-year-old says he is counting down the days until the action starts for real.

Sears said: “It’s good to get goals - I’m feeling confident in front of goal and I’m on a good streak.

“I’m itching for the season to start and I can’t wait until the first game, whether that is Yeovil (in the Capital One Cup) or Preston, whichever the gaffer chooses.

“The gaffer has put me on the left but if I need to drift in, I can do that.

“My favourite position is just behind the front man but scoring goals and playing games is what I want to be doing and that’s happening at the moment.”

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