In a season when they only narrowly missed out on a play-off spot, Colchester United had plenty of impressive performers.

But most U’s fans would probably agree that in his first year at the club, Craig Slater was one of their shining lights.

Colchester missed the skilful midfielder’s influence in the final two-and-a-half months of last season and his absence for much of the current campaign because of a hip injury has been damaging.

He started the campaign in John McGreal’s starting line-up in their curtain-raiser at Accrington Stanley and went on to make substitute appearances in the next two games that followed, against Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup and Stevenage in the league, before being sidelined.

But Slater is now back in the fold and looking for games, after making a welcome injury comeback as a late substitute in the U’s Checkatrade Trophy defeat against Gillingham, in midweek.

And the good news for Colchester is that the Scotland under-21 international believes that he is yet to show his full potential.

Slater said: “There’s definitely a lot more to come from me and I’m really positive, as I always am.

“I feel I’ve got a lot more to show like scoring more goals and creating more for the team.

“Last season, I had spells of good form and there were flashes of what I can do but probably not as much as I’d like.

“I feel if I can get fully fit, I’ll be able to do that on a more consistent basis.

“Dealing with the cards that I’ve got, I think I’ve done OK and hopefully now I can kick on.

“I feel as frustrated as anyone – last year and this year, there’ve been quite a few injuries so I’ll be looking to stay injury free now.

“It felt good to be back with the boys and help the team.

“I’ve had a good week’s training too so hopefully now I can start getting more games.

“Between the end of last season and after the first game of this, the injury came back and it’s been frustrating but if I can get back to being fully fit, I can show everyone what I can do and that’s what I’m focused on.

“Staying fit is the most important thing for me – I don’t want to be injured.

“I want to be helping the team and it’s hard watching at the weekend when you’re not playing but that’s part and parcel of being a footballer.

“I’m lacking a bit of match fitness but that will come.

“But injury-wise, I feel really good and I’m giving myself every chance of playing.”

Slater had been prepared to undergo an injection last month upon the advice of Colchester’s medical team, in a bid to return to match action.

But thankfully, the 23-year-old did not require extra help and is now determined to help the U’s climb the League Two table.

“We have a really good squad and we should be doing better, there’s no doubt about that,” added the former Kilmarnock midfielder.

“The two away performances and results certainly breed confidence and I think everyone now just has to be positive and look towards the next game.

“It’s a massive game against Mansfield who are a good side but we’re at home and we’re expected to win it.

“They have an experienced manager and they play a certain style of football so it’s about matching that and doing better than that.

“We have enough ability to win the game if everyone performs and works hard.”