Midfielder George Moncur wants to more than double his current goalscoring tally this season, as he and Colchester United plot their way towards the play-off positions.

After a fruitful time in front of goal last season, the 22-year-old is enjoying another prolific campaign, having already plundered six goals in 13 League One games this season.

The former West Ham man is leading the way in the scoring charts and is part of a free-scoring U’s squad that have provided plenty of attacking entertainment this season.

“I want to get about 15 goals, considering I scored eight or nine goals in all competitions last season,” said Moncur.

“Goalscoring is something I take a pride in and scoring goals from midfield takes you to another level. I know I have the ability to do it and hopefully I can continue to show it like I already have done.”

Only the U’s dreadful defensive record is preventing them from being higher in the league and Moncur thinks that if Tony Humes’ men can fix that, then he and the likes of Callum Harriott, Gavin Massey and Marvin Sordell have the ability to finish teams off at the other end.

They will get the opportunity to start that at Doncaster, the division’s lowest scorers, tomorrow.

On paper, the game represents a golden chance for Colchester to earn just their third clean sheet of the season and potentially go for the jugular in the final third.

Four points off the play-offs, Moncur certainly thinks the U’s are not far away from clicking in all departments.

“As a team we have great ability in defence and attack and it’s just a case of putting it together by working on it in training. We have definitely got it in us,” he added.

“We are only four points off the play-offs and if we can put everything together, we have got a great chance near the top six and being where we want to be.”

While tightening up at the back is the priority, ensuring the long-term futures of the aforementioned Harriott and Sordell is also crucial.

Sordell has scored four goals in 10 games since signing on a free transfer from Burnley and his form is unlikely to have gone unnoticed by scouts higher up the pyramid. After all, Sordell once commanded a £3m fee when he left Watford to sign for Bolton and has pedigree in the Championship especially.

As for Harriott, he is on-loan until January and while Humes would like to extend his stay at the club, the departure of head coach Guy Luzon may well have enhanced the winger’s chances of returning to the first-team fold at The Valley.

“Marvin (Sordell) and Call (Harriott) have both played higher and have the ability to pick you out,” he said.

“I am not saying the younger lads who have played before haven’t, but maybe those two have added an extra dimension. It’s been really good going forward lately and I am sure that will continue.

On Harriott, Moncur added: “He is a great player and I have really clicked with him, on and off the pitch, since he has been here.

“Hopefully he can stay as long as possibly because he has helped us massively.”

Meanwhile, young midfielder Sammie Szmodics has joined Braintree Town on a month’s loan.