George Moncur is keen to put the disappointment of last weekend’s home defeat to Port Vale behind him, by helping Colchester United to end their Cup hoodoo at Gosport Borough on Sunday.

West Ham loanee Moncur is still waiting to hear from Upton Park as to whether he will be allowed to play for the U’s in the FA Cup first round tie on the Hampshire coast.

Midfielder Moncur, who is on loan from the Hammers until mid-January, is hoping that his parent club will give him clearance to feature in the Cup, and so continue his good run in the team. The 21-year-old has already chalked up 18 league and cup appearances for the U’s – in fact, he has been an ever-present in the squad, with 17 starts and one as a substitute.

“Last Saturday was a frustrating day for everyone,” explained Moncur. It was very annoying, because Port Vale got the two early goals in the second half and then killed the game by sitting back. The defeat also killed our four-game unbeaten run.

“We were all feeling confident going into that game, but it was just one of those things. We move onto the next game now.

“I don’t know whether I will be able to play in the FA Cup this weekend. I haven’t heard from West Ham yet.

“I guess that I’ll find out later in the week, but obviously I’d love to play in the game.

“It’s been quality, playing for Colchester every week, and I want that to continue.”

Moncur attached no blame on one of his old West Ham club-mates, Freddie Sears, for his first-half penalty miss during the 2-1 home defeat to Port Vale.

Ex-Hammers front-runner Sears did steer home his eighth league goal of the season, to halve the deficit in the 79th minute, but only after seeing his 32nd minute spot kick saved by Valiants keeper Chris Neal.

“If the penalty goes in, maybe it would have been a different game,” continued Moncur.

“But you can’t blame Freddie, because he has been quality all year for us. Anyone can miss a penalty – I missed one in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy shoot-out (against Gillingham), so I know how it feels.”

The U’s have not won a cup tie for three years, with nine defeats in their last nine starts in the FA Cup, League Cup and Trophy.