MEDY Elito wants to stay and fight for his place at Colchester United next season rather than rejoin Cheltenham Town on loan.

MEDY Elito wants to stay and fight for his place at Colchester United next season rather than rejoin Cheltenham Town on loan.

The 20-year-old winger scored three goals in 11 appearances for the League Two Robins in a successful end-of-season spell.

A former England Under-20 international, Zaire-born Elito has made just 19 appearances for the U’s in his three seasons at the club.

However, the tricky wide man had decided he wants to start the new campaign at the Weston Homes Community Stadium in an attempt to impress whoever the new manager of the Essex club might be.

Cheltenham boss Mark Yates, whose side narrowly avoided relegation from the Football League this season, is looking to strengthen his squad this summer. It looks unlikely that Elito will be one of those additions though.

He said: “I have spoken to Medy’s agent as well as John Ward (assistant manager) at Colchester and he loved his time with us.

“His efforts were much appreciated, but he has a year left at Colchester and he wants to play for his parent club now, so I’d say it’s a long way off for us to bring him back here at the moment.”