COLCHESTER United's new recruit, Sam Williams, feared that his fledgling career might be cut short by long-term injury.But the 21-year-old Aston Villa striker, who was prolific for the reserves and the academy before his injuries, is looking to kick-start his career at Colchester over the next three-months.

Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United's new recruit, Sam Williams, feared that his fledgling career might be cut short by long-term injury.

But the 21-year-old Aston Villa striker, who was prolific for the reserves and the academy before his injuries, is looking to kick-start his career at Colchester over the next three-months.

Fresh from signing on loan from Villa yesterday, Williams spoke about his struggle to overcome serious injury.

“There were times when I thought I would not get through it,” confessed Williams.

“I had problems with my groin and hips, which led to four or five operations. I was effectively out of action for 15 months.

“It was a very frustrating time, but now it's all sorted out. I've been fully-fit for the last two-and-a-half months, and I'm just desperate to start playing regular football.

“Aston Villa are going so well that I haven't had much chance to break into the first team. Fortunately, I've been given this chance at Colchester and I'm looking to play as many games as I can.

“That includes this weekend's FA Cup game against Leyton Orient. I thought about this long and hard, but I thought that I might as well make myself available,” added Williams.

Welshman Williams, who has been on Aston Villa's books since the age of 15, enjoyed loan spells at Wrexham and Brighton two seasons ago, before his progress was stopped in its tracks by injury.

He actually scored on his Wrexham debut, against Wycombe, on February 4, 2006. In all, he scored twice in 15 league games for the Robins, and also scored once in three league starts for Brighton.

Williams continued: “I started out in my career as a central midfielder, but I changed to up front when there were a few injuries to strikers in the Reserves at Villa. I was 17 at the time.

“I scored 27 goals in one season, for the Academy and the Reserves, and went on loan to Wrexham as an 18-year-old. When the new manager, Martin O'Neill, came in, I also went out on loan to Brighton, only to then get injured.

“Long-term, I want to break into the Aston Villa team. But I need to do well for Colchester, and I'm delighted to be joining a team who look to score lots of goals.

“I'm a striker who likes to hold up the ball and play on the shoulder of defenders.

“I would not have come here if I had thought Colchester were a defensive team who just played for 1-0 wins,” added Williams, who goes straight into tonight's squad at Bournemouth.