Senior is dreaming of his first league start at the Community Stadium

The 19-year-old made his full debut for the U’s in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Port Vale and marked his baptism with a goal in the 12th minute.

His side had to be content with a share of the spoils after conceding an equaliser three minutes from time.

However, Senior, who was withdrawn just after the hour-mark, hopes to have done enough to impress head coach John McGreal and keep his place for next weekend’s home showdown against FA Cup heroes Newport County.

“Hopefully I can carry on impressing in training and I hope I’ve done enough for the manager to start me this weekend,” said the former Brentford Academy product, who missed all of last season after undergoing knee surgery in August 2016.

“That would be terrific, to make my first-ever home league start for Colchester, in front of the fans.

“But if not, I’ll stay positive and carry on going even if I’m a substitute and try and always affect the game.

“I was really glad to get my full debut last weekend and delighted to get a goal, too.

“It’s a day I won’t forget in a hurry.

“The manager told me the day before the game that I would be starting and I was very happy.

“He put a lot of trust in me and he told me to go out there and have fun really.

“I had come on twice in the previous two games and done well and I feel like I’m doing well in training, so the manager is obviously happy with what he’s seen.

“He’s put his faith in me and put me in to start.

“I was disappointed with the result – I thought we could have won the game.

“We wanted to win and to be winning up until the 87th minute and then concede a goal like that was annoying and deflated the team a bit.

“But we have to be strong and it’s onwards and upwards.

“We have to be positive and we still came away with the draw, so it wasn’t as bad as it felt.

“A point away at Port Vale isn’t as bad as it seems and we’re looking forward to the next game.”

Senior showed flashes of his skill and gave Colchester a dream start at Vale Park.

Although Dave Worrall cancelled it out, Drey Wright restored the U’s advantage on the stroke of half-time.

A late equaliser from Worrall denied Colchester all three points, although Colchester cut the gap between themselves and the play-off places to four points in the League Two table.

Senior was delighted with his early goal and said: “It’s always special to get a goal – there’s no better feeling.

“I kind of scuffed the goal to be fair and it went through the player’s legs but I wanted to get my shot off on goal and it went in, so I was very happy.

“As a winger and an attacker, you always have to try certain things and take risks.

“I like to take risks in the final third – that’s the kind of player that I am.

“Scoring goals is great but you obviously have to help out the team as well.

“The last two times I’ve come on I’ve got two assists, so I’m helping out the team.”