HE MAY have lost his front teeth, but Andy Bond is champing at the bit to re-establish himself in the Colchester United starting line-up.

HE MAY have lost his front teeth, but Andy Bond is champing at the bit to re-establish himself in the Colchester United starting line-up.

Bond started his first league game of the season last weekend, in the disappointing 3-0 defeat at second-placed Sheffield United.

The attacking midfielder is hoping to retain his place at home to Walsall tomorrow, having put the pre-season horror collision with team-mate Mark Cousins well and truly behind him.

Bond was knocked unconscious by the nasty collision with keeper Cousins, during the pre-season friendly against Ipswich Town. His teeth and gums were seriously damaged, although he is hoping to undergo more dental work within the next fortnight, to have his front teeth replaced.

“I just had to wait, and bide my time until I could get back into the team,” explained Bond.

“The injury didn’t affect my fitness. I just had to stay off playing for two weeks, because it was a knock to the head.

“When I got hit, I don’t remember anything, until I woke up in hospital at 11.30pm, and I still can’t remember what happened! “It looked shocking, watching it back later on the video.

“I lost some teeth, which was obviously a setback for me, but it wasn’t like a leg injury. I didn’t lose much fitness,” added Bond.

Despite the U’s current run of no wins in five matches, and their lower mid-table position (15th) after nine games, Bond is still aiming high for the play-offs.

The former Barrow favourite, who was manager John Ward’s first signing in the summer of 2010, scored eight goals in 46 senior appearances for the U’s last term.

But just as the U’s fell adrift of the play-off pace during the second half of last season, so Bond also struggled with his own form, only managing two goals since the turn of the year.

“Last year we tried to get in the play-offs and slipped up towards the end of the season,” continued Bond.

“Realistically, the play-offs is our aim again, but we can’t fall too far behind the top six.

“I think the squad is very strong again this season, and there are a lot of options in midfield.

“Hopefully I can now bed myself into the team, but I know that you have got to play well to stay in the team, because the squad is strong.”