In-form Ryan Inniss says it feels like he is “hitting the ground running” for Colchester United following a string of impressive performances.

But the towering defender insists he will not allow himself to get carried away, despite earning rave reviews for his recent displays for the U’s.

Inniss is enjoying a productive run in John McGreal’s starting line-up and has not tasted defeat in any of his last five appearances in League Two.

The 22-year-old is hoping to play for a tenth time since his season-long loan move from Crystal Palace when Colchester host Crewe Alexandra, on Saturday.

And having been hampered by injuries in the past, centre-back Inniss is relishing his time on the pitch.

Inniss told the Daily Gazette: “I’m enjoying my football - I think my form has definitely picked up and I feel like I’m getting more match fitness.

“Training was tapered to help me a little bit at the start which I appreciated and thank the staff for and now I’m fully into it with the lads.

“I feel like I’m really hitting the ground running now and hopefully, I can continue it because you’re only as good as your last game.

“I’ve played nine games now - for a lot of players, that’s not a lot but for me, it’s a bit of a milestone.

“I want to get to ten and hopefully, I can play well enough to stay in the team until after Christmas and make it 20, which for me would be massive.

“But I’m taking it one game at a time and hopefully, I can give my best for the side.

“What people need to remember is that no-one wants to be injured.

“When people watch me play, they see that I put my heart and soul into it.

“I’m not blessed with the most ability – I’d be the first to admit that.

“But if I can stick my head on things and drag a few people with me, then that’s great.

“We’ve got players with unbelievable ability here and I just like geeing people up – I enjoy it and it keeps me on my toes.”

Inniss will be hoping to help Colchester United make it three games unbeaten when they take on Crewe at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, on Saturday.

The young defender was in the Southend United squad that fared well in League One last season but he feels more a part of John McGreal’s team.

“When I was at Southend, they went on a great run but I wasn’t there and I wasn’t a part of that,” added Inniss.

“I feel a real part of this team and this squad as a whole.

“Picking up points like we did at Coventry is something that we can really build on.

“When I first came in the away performances were a struggle but now we feel we can win anywhere, no matter who we’re playing.

“The confidence is there and the ability is there – that’s not a problem.

“The issue away from home was perhaps to do with communication.

“But if you look at the clips of our recent away games, everyone is talking, passing on runners, putting their head on the ball and making blocks and everyone wants to tackle and we can mix it up if we need to.

“As a defender, I relish games like the one at Coventry, making the tackles and the blocks and I love a clean sheet, however it comes.

“I thought we were very resolute and we played some great stuff at times.

“We knew it was going to be a tactical game instead of route one, which we’ve found at some places.”