STEVEN Gillespie is champing at the bit to start playing again, and who can blame him?

STEVEN Gillespie is champing at the bit to start playing again, and who can blame him?

Colchester United’s most natural goalscorer was twiddling his thumbs on the bench for the first three months of the season.

And when Gillespie did finally get a first league start, he was injured early on during that 4-2 home win over Notts County.

But now the ex-Cheltenham striker is fit again, and set to return to the 16-man squad for today’s visit of Swindon.

He is hoping that his long-awaited return, after a hamstring injury, will coincide with an upturn in fortunes for the U’s, both in the Cup and in the league.

A win over Swindon would secure a safe passage through to round three of the FA Cup, while the following weekend’s home game against Bury will offer an opportunity to start climbing the league table again.

“I was pleased to be in and around the squad at Carlisle (last weekend), but the gaffer decided against putting me on the bench, to give me a few more days of training,” explained Gillespie.

“I hope to play a part this weekend. It’s a chance for us to get into the hat for the third round, after which anything can happen.

“It would also be good to take a win into next week (back to league action against Bury), because that’s another big game for us.

“Two wins could then turn our whole season around, and we can start being more positive about things. It would put a whole different spin on how we are feeling.”

Gillespie is certainly looking to make up for lost time, which is good news for U’s boss John Ward, who has been relying so heavily on his only other striker, Kayode Odejayi.

“I had to work so hard to get in the team, and then got injured when I got my chance,” rued Gillespie.

“I have missed a lot of the season through just being a substitute, and it’s always difficult trying to make an impact when you are only on the pitch for a few minutes. Hopefully, my luck will now change.”

Gillespie will probably start today’s game on the bench, with Ward poised to name an unchanged side from the 1-0 defeat at Carlisle.