GEORGE Elokobi insists he always believed he would play for Colchester United again after making a winning comeback.

The popular centre-back played his first game of the season for the U’s at Cheltenham Town, helping them to end their ten-match winless run in League two.

Elokobi was impressive in Colchester’s 3-0 victory at Whaddon Road, having been recalled from his loan spell at Braintree Town the day before the game.

It was the former Wolves defender’s first appearance under U’s head coach John McGreal, having found himself down the pecking order at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

But despite finding himself out of favour in the opening weeks of the campaign, Elokobi insists he always had confidence he would play for the club again.

He told the Daily Gazette: “There was never a moment that I didn’t think that I would pull on a Colchester shirt again.

“I always believed and no-one ever told me that I didn’t have a future at the club.

“I knew that I had to go out and play games because like the gaffer said, there was enough players in that position and I had to bide my time and be patient and carry on working hard at the training ground which I did and it’s paid dividends.

“I needed games to get myself right.

“I missed the last part of last season and I needed to make sure that I went out and got some match practice.

“It was fantastic to go out to a local club like Braintree and enjoy my football there and at the same time, get match fit.

“When that call came from the gaffer for me to come back into the squad, I was buzzing.”

Elokobi was delighted to play his part in Colchester’s victory at Cheltenham, their first league win since September 10.

“It was a fantastic result for us,” said Elokobi, who has made more than 200 career appearances so far.

“It’s not good to get into the habit of losing week in, week out.

“It’s been coming for a while and it was a professional performance by everyone, including the staff.

“It’s always good to get a win on board and have that feel-good factor after winning a football match.

“I know it’s taken a long time but it was good to send the fans home happy but we’re going to stay grounded and make sure we carry on working and climbing up that table.

“There’s plenty of good young talent in the team but you also need that experience and it was good for Owen (Garvan) and myself to come back in and help the boys out.

“Don’t get me wrong, the young boys that have been playing have been doing extremely well but it takes that little bit of experience to try and manage games.”