COLCHESTER United's new loanee striker, Karl Hawley, insists that he will get better with a few games under his belt, after partnering Clive Platt up front at the Walkers Stadium.

Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United's new loanee striker, Karl Hawley, insists that he will get better with a few games under his belt, after partnering Clive Platt up front at the Walkers Stadium.

Hawley had a couple of chances to score in the second half of the 1-1 draw against Leicester. He headed wide from fellow Preston loanee Neal Trotman's headed lay-off, when the U's were leading 1-0, and was also denied by a smart save from Foxes keeper Tony Warner in stoppage time.

“That's my first 90 minutes of football for quite a while. I haven't played that much for a month or two,” explained Hawley.

“I enjoyed playing alongside Clive Platt, although that wasn't the first time we have played together, because we were both at Walsall at the same time.

“I think that we can get better together. At the moment my basic fitness is there, but not yet the sharpness. That will come with a few more games.

“Neal (Trotman) had signed a couple of days before, so I spoke to him about a possible move. I was told about Colchester's interest on Thursday afternoon, so it all happened quite quickly,” added Hawley.

Walsall-born Hawley only made four substitute appearances for his home town club. He impressed with 10 goals during two loan spells at Raith Rovers, but it was his switch to Carlisle that really kick-started his career.

The 27-year-old front runner top-scored in each of his three campaign at Brunton Park, which included two promotions, but playing in the Championship has been more of a challenge.

He scored three goals for Preston last season, and has found this campaign even more frustrating, although he did at least bag a couple of goals during a loan stint at League One strugglers Northampton.

Ironically, it was Scott Vernon's loan move to Northampton that paved the way for Hawley's own loan deal at Colchester. The early signs are that he can prove an effective foil for big target man Platt.

He was certainly impressed with his new team's display at runaway leaders Leicester.

“We were on top for most of the match. I thought we were better than Leicester, and yet they are on top of the league,” said Hawley.

“I had a couple of good chances, while Clive Platt was just over with a header and Mark Yeates also had a one-on-one with the keeper. I thought it was two points dropped for us.”