HOGAN Ephraim is relishing the chance to play for Colchester United for the rest of the season, and maybe beyond!The West Ham loanee enjoyed the first senior start of his career against Ipswich on Saturday, as a replacement for the injured Jamie Cureton.

By Derek Davis

HOGAN Ephraim is relishing the chance to play for Colchester United for the rest of the season, and maybe beyond!

The West Ham loanee enjoyed the first senior start of his career against Ipswich on Saturday, as a replacement for the injured Jamie Cureton.

Only three days earlier, he had signed a new loan deal extending his stay at Layer Road until the end of the season. Now he is hoping to stake a regular place in the starting line-up.

“My contract at West Ham is up at the end of the season, so things are up in the air,” revealed Ephraim.

“I'm delighted to be at Colchester for the rest of the season. I'm not really involved at West Ham, so I'm hoping to do well at Colchester.

“I've come to a Championship club that's doing well at the top end of the table. I'm playing in a good side, although results are not really going for us at the moment.

“We'll see what will happen at the end of the season, but my only thought is with Colchester now,” added Ephraim.

England under-19 international Ephraim had been restricted to six appearances as a substitute, before he was handed his first start at Ipswich.

And he celebrated by setting up Karl Duguid for the opening goal, even though the U's eventually subsided to a 3-2 defeat.

Ephraim continued: “This was a massive game for me, being my first start. And I knew that it meant so much to our fans.

“I was pleased to play, but to lose is massively disappointing. It was a great ball from Richard (Garcia) for our first goal. I got behind the defender and saw Karl (Duguid), so I passed to him. I fell over and the next thing I knew, the ball was in the back of the net.

“I couldn't see whether the ball was over the line at the other end (Billy Clarke's shot), but I don't think we can have too many complaints. Ipswich were the better side overall.

“I thought that I did OK. I'm satisfied with my performance. It was difficult trying to replace Jamie (Cureton), but we are two very different players.

“Now I want some more of this. I want to have a few more starts, and build up an understanding with the rest of the team,” added Ephraim.

The 18-year-old is spending the next few days in Spain with the rest of the Colchester United squad, as they enjoy a mini-break in the sun - although they will be training as well!

The U's do not have a game on Saturday, having been knocked out of the FA Cup at Barnet in the third round. Their next fixture is at home to Preston on Tuesday, January 30, the first of back-to-back home games - promotion candidates Birmingham are the visitors on Saturday week.