COLCHESTER United’s new front-man, Clinton Morrison, admits that he is playing catch-up in terms of match-fitness.

But the ex-Crystal Palace, Birmingham and Coventry hit-man, who is currently in Holland with his new team-mates at their training base, is looking forward to playing alongside two U’s players in particular.

Morrison is relishing the chance to get re-acquainted with fellow attacker Freddie Sears – the two played together briefly at Coventry in 2010.

And the 33-year-old is also looking forward to playing in the same team as last season’s leading scorer, Anthony Wordsworth, a midfielder he rates very highly.

“I haven’t done a great deal for two or three months,” admitted Morrison, who signed a three-year deal with the U’s on Monday.

“That means I will be playing catch-up. But I’ll be knuckling down straight away because I want to hit the season running. I want to get down to basics.

“It will be good to meet up with Freddie (Sears) again. He was only a young boy when he came to Coventry on loan.

“But Freddie has matured a lot since then, and hopefully we can play well together.

“And Anthony Wordsworth is a player I have always admired. I think he’s a big talent.

“Whenever I have played alongside him, he has always caught the eye and looked dangerous,” added Morrison.

Wordsworth, who bagged 13 goals from midfield last season, still has a year left on his contract with the U’s.

He was expected to attract a lot of interest in the transfer market this summer, but as yet the Essex club has received no approach for their talisman.

Manager John Ward revealed: “There has been no interest in Anthony Wordsworth.

“No one has spoken to me. It’s been all quiet on that front.”

Morrison did not feature in the friendly fixture against Vitesse Arnhem on Wednesday afternoon, which the U’s won 3-2, but he could be involved in the home friendly against West Ham on Saturday.