Colchester United marksman, Dan Holman, desperately wants to fight for his place in Tony Humes’ starting line-up for the new season, as the U’s prepare to face Premier League side West Ham United this evening.

Ex-Braintree Town front-runner Holman has been in form during pre-season, as reflected in his quality finish for the U’s second goal in last Saturday’s 3-2 win at Bishop’s Stortford.

Holman will be hoping for another chance to shine this evening (kick-off 7.45pm), against West Ham in the U’s first of four home friendlies.

Leyton Orient are the visitors on Saturday, and Ipswich Town will be the opponents the following Tuesday, before a Fulham XI come to the Weston Homes Community Stadium on August 1.

Holman spent the bulk of last season on loan, playing for the Conference trio of Wrexham, Aldershot and Dover Athletic. He scored three goals in 12 league outings for the Shots, and two goals in six league appearances for Dover.

But the 25-year-old wants an opportunity to stake a claim in the Football League, with the U’s, having arrived from Braintree on a two-year deal last summer.

He is yet to start a competitive senior game for the U’s, having been restricted to just five brief appearances as a substitute during the first month of last term.

Holman is again up against it, trying to force his way into manager Tony Humes’ first-team set-up for the 2015-16 campaign, with the likes of Chris Porter and Macauley Bonne ahead of him the pecking order, and with the U’s boss also intent on signing a new attacker before the season begins with a home game against Blackpool on August 8.

“It was good to score at Bishop’s Stortford. I’m trying to get as fit as I can, and all the results in pre-season have been positive so far,” explained Holman.

“Last season was very frustrating for me, but that’s football for you. I’m just trying to work as hard as I can, and keep my head down, waiting to see what happens.

“It’s important to keep playing football, whatever happens, which is what I did last season. It’s a short career, and it was preferable to just sitting around.

“I got injured at the end of last season, which pegged me back a bit, but I’ve come back feeling fit.

“I want to break into the Colchester first team, rather than go out on loan again, that’s the aim.

“I signed for Colchester United for a reason. What will be, will be, I suppose, and we’ll just have to wait and see what the manager does.

“All I can do is keep playing, and trying to score.

“Last season was difficult, because I was played in various positions, including out wide, which is where I’ve been playing again in pre-season.

“I’d prefer to be playing more central, but if I can improve in different areas, then that’s good for me.”