Macauley Bonne says now is the time for Colchester United’s home-grown players to step up and achieve success with the first team.

Bonne is one of a number of U’s academy products who are currently involved with the senior side’s League Two promotion push.

The 21-year-old was one of five Colchester youth-team players on the pitch at the end of their game at Cambridge United, along with Sammie Szmodics, Tom Lapslie, Cameron James and Drey Wright.

And striker Bonne, who has been at the U’s since under-14 level after spending six years within Ipswich Town’s academy, admits they must now produce the goods on the pitch.

Bonne said: “Now’s the time for us young boys to step up.

“We have to be men and go out there and fight for it.

“It’s what we’ve prepared for for a number of years now and now’s the time for us to go out and do it.”

Bonne will be hoping to be involved when Colchester host Portsmouth at the Weston Homes Community Stadium tomorrow.

The U’s, who are three points off the League Two play-off positions, will be hoping to close the gap on the top three with a win over a Pompey side who are currently third in the table.

“Our home record this season is exceptional and that’s always key for us, with seven of our last 11 games being at home,” said Bonne.

“We know that we’ll have the home fans behind us and it’s that home feeling, going into the last games this season.

“There’s more of a buzz when you’ve got big games like the one against Portsmouth.

“There’s more fire in your belly knowing that there’s a team there who are in the top three and we’re just outside the play-offs.

“If we can go out there and beat them, then who’s to say we’re not going to go out and win the next seven, eight or nine games and see where they are, in the next few weeks.”