FORMER Colchester United hero David Fox believes his old side have “as good a chance as anyone” of promotion this season - if they can nail down a coveted play-off spot.

The midfielder returned to his former club at the weekend as part of the Plymouth Argyle team that played their part in an entertaining 0-0 draw.

Fox is already assured of promotion, having helped the Pilgrims to a top-three spot which confirms their return to League One.

Now he hopes to be joined at the higher level by Colchester.

“I’d love it if they could join us in getting promoted,” said the 33-year-old.

“They’ve got two games left and I fancy them to win both, even though they’re tough matches.

“Hopefully that would be enough for them to sneak in there and if they can do that, they’ve got as good a chance as anyone.

“I was very impressed with Colchester on Saturday.

“They’ve got some good players, some quick players and ones that can win them games.

“Ports (Chris Porter) had a couple of chances and although he couldn’t quite put them away, on another day he would have done.

“They’re as good as anyone up there that we’ve played this season, especially with their home record, and I’m sure no-one in the play-offs would fancy playing them.” After three years with Blackpool, Fox joined Colchester in 2009, before moving to Norwich City.

In 2013, he went on a three-month loan to Barnsley, before he rejoined the U’s in late 2014.

“It was nice coming back,” he said. “There are some good people here – the players but also those who work behind the scenes.

“Last year was disappointing for the club but they’re definitely on their way back. If it doesn’t happen for them this year, I’d certainly fancy them next year, if they can keep the core of players here at the moment.

“I still speak to Ports and some of the other lads on Twitter. I still keep an eye on what’s going on.

“Hopefully they can get those couple of wins and see where it takes them.”

Fox signed for Plymouth last July after he was released by Crewe Alexandra, following their relegation from League One.

He has now been rewarded with a third promotion of his career, with the previous two coming at Blackpool and Norwich.

His first taste of promotion came in 2006/07, when he was part of the Blackpool squad that beat Yeovil Town 2-0 in the League One play-off final at Wembley.

The second occasion was four seasons later when Norwich finished as runners-up to Queens Park Rangers in the Championship and went up to the Premier League.

Now he is enjoying the sweet taste of promotion once again.

“This season has been great. It’s been brilliant and I’ve loved my time at Plymouth,” said the former England Under-20 international, whose family are still based in the North-West.

“It’s been everything I hoped it would be.

“There’s a big fan-base down there and a really big vocal support.

“We’re delighted we’ve got promoted but obviously disappointed with the result on Saturday, because we could have gone level with (leaders) Doncaster.

“We’ll take the point from Saturday because of Colchester’s record.

“But we’re still going for the title and want to go up as champions.

“We’ve gained a point and it’s within one result now.

“Donny have got two tough games, as have we, and all we can do is try and win them both.

“We’ll keep the pressure on them and see what happens.”