Colchester United’s two-goal star, Luke Norris, believes that the U’s have sent out a strong message to other teams in League Two, following Saturday’s 3-1 away win at managerless Cheltenham Town.

Norris marked his first league start for the U’s, since his summer switch from Swindon Town, by netting twice in the first half-hour, slotting home a 12th minute penalty before doubling the U’s lead with a wonderful free-kick on 26 minutes.

“I think we have sent out a message to other teams in this league, on this performance,” insisted Norris.

“I’m happy at the moment, even though it’s been a slow start to the season for me.

“I had surgery over the summer, and at the back of my mind I was thinking – ‘is this going to be one of those sort of seasons for me?’

“But we are a very tight-knit group. There are no moaners and we are pulling together,” added front-runner Norris.

“The defence really did it’s job,” enthused striker Norris.

The 25-year-old has already scored four goals for his new club, after bagging the fifth in the U’s 6-0 home win over Crewe, and also scoring at Cheltenham in the EFL Cup less than three weeks ago.