VISITING the league leaders, Charlton Athletic, holds no fears for Steven Gillespie.

After a slow start to the season, during which he was haunted by niggling injuries and a struggle for form, Colchester United front-runner Gillespie is now firing on all cylinders.

He scored his eighth and ninth goals of the campaign against Preston, to seal the U’s first league double, and he is targeting another goal against the high-flying Addicks.

“It’s going to be our hardest game of the season, no doubt,” admitted Gillespie.

“Charlton are top of the league for a reason. But if we can perform like we did against Preston, then we’ll give them a good game.

“You look to score against the good sides, because you are playing against the better players. And I’ll be delighted if I can score again.”

Gillespie heaped praise on recalled target man Kayode Odejayi, for his role in Saturday’s win over Preston, and the duo are expected to team up again in south London tonight.

“We fought hard for the win over Preston, and Kay did a great job up there for us,” continued Gillespie.

“I’ve seen what he can do for a long time. Kay was at Cheltenham Town when I was there, as a 19-year-old lad. He’s a strong boy.”

One more goal for Gillespie will see the ex-Liverpool trainee post his best season’s goal-tally since his �400,000 switch from Cheltenham, during the summer of 2008.

He netted nine goals in just 19 outings last term, while the previous two campaigns he totalled a mere seven goals. He bagged 16 goals during his final season at Cheltenham.

Gillespie enthused: “Seven (goals) in seven (games) is pleasing for myself. Now I just want to stay in the side and keep going.

“I’ve pretty much been fit all season, but I couldn’t get in the side really. Then I scored a couple of goals off the bench, and I’ve been in the side ever since.

“It’s where I want to be, back in the side scoring goals. However, I never set any season targets for myself.”