Colchester United’s impressive young loanee, Alex Wynter, believes that the U’s will keep their nerve to beat the drop into League Two.

Wynter has relished being thrown in at the deep end, following his loan switch from Crystal Palace four weeks ago, and the 20-year-old is adamant that the U’s have the right mental approach to stay out of the bottom four.

Having played a key role in the U’s goalless draw at Crewe Alexandra on Easter Monday, a result which kept Joe Dunne’s men one point clear of the relegation zone, versatile defender Wynter is looking to make a similar impact during the final two games – at home to Brentford this Saturday, and away at Walsall the following weekend.

“I think any point gained from the last three games has got to be seen as a good point,” insisted Wynter, following the stalemate at Gresty Road.

“Crewe are around us, so it was definitely a point gained.

“I’m not feeling nervous, and we can’t let things build up in our heads, because when you are nervous that’s when mistakes happen.

“So we’ve got to stay strong, and just go out there and treat it like it’s just another game.

“It’s still tight down there, though I’m sure we will be fine. Three points might be enough, we just don’t know.

“We are still out of the bottom four, and it’s completely different if you are in it. I think it’s a bit more mentally draining.

“We are still up there and still fighting. We are still keeping our heads above the water.”

Croydon-born Wynter made his league debut as a right-back, when appearing as a 69th minute substitute during the U’s 2-1 defeat by Tranmere on April 5. He was the third player to fill the right-back role in that match, following in the footsteps of Tosin Olufemi and Gavin Massey.

A week later and he made his full league debut at left-back, in the 3-2 win at Stevenage, due to Ryan Dickson’s absence through injury. He has retained his place for the last two games.

And at Crewe, he actually played the final few minutes at centre-half, his preferred position, after Magnus Okuonghae limped off as a precaution, to see out an 11th clean-sheet of the campaign for the U’s.

“I think we have defended well again. You can’t do any better than a clean-sheet, insisted Wynter.

“Personally, I felt good out there and am enjoying my time here.

“It’s great for me in the future, this experience. I’d obviously rather us be safe (from relegation), but I’m learning a lot about myself, as a person as well as a player.”

Wynter believes that Saturday’s showdown with Brentford, who are already promoted, will be a very open game, which might suit the U’s.

“It’s a massive game against Brentford. We need to start translating our away form into our home form,” continued Wynter.

“I’ve heard they are bringing a big crowd, so there should be a good atmosphere.

“Technically, Brentford are now a Championship club, so it will definitely be one of the biggest games I will have been involved in.

“Brentford will probably come at us, which is OK because it’s always harder to break down a team when they sit back against you. When it’s more open, there is more space.”