Luke Prosser admits Colchester United’s defeat at Wycombe Wanderers overshadowed the relief he felt at making his long-awaited return to league action.

Prosser came on as a second-half substitute for Ryan Inniss in the 3-1 loss to make his first League Two appearance since November 2016, following a long-term knee injury.

The U’s club captain was delighted to finally return to action, after a hugely frustrating 14 months on the sidelines but said the outcome at Adams Park put a big downer on the afternoon.

Prosser said: “On a personal note, it was good to get back out there after a long time out but I’m extremely disappointed with the way the result went.

“It’s been a long time but it’s behind me now and I’m looking forward to the next five or six months.

“I’d like to be involved and get as many minutes as possible, in the games that are left to either earn myself a contract here or elsewhere.

“That’s where I’m at and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.

“I’ve got a big part to play and I’m desperate to kick on now.”

Colchester fell to a second successive defeat after goals from Ade Akinfenwa, Paris Cowan-Hall and Luke O’Nien put Wycombe in charge, before Sammie Szmodics bagged a late consolation for the visitors.

The U’s now lie 11th in the table and three points off the play-off places.

Prosser said: “It was a poor result and a bad performance but we go again next week.

“In the last two games, we’ve conceded too many goals.

“It’s nothing to worry about as such because we’ve been in good form but we have to put it right and get another run going.

“We’ve had a little bit of a bad run of late but there’s more than enough in that dressing room for us to pick up results again and we’ll be doing that, next weekend.

“There’s still a lot to play for and if we win back-to-back games, I’m sure we’ll be up there.

“When you haven’t won for a few games, your next game is your most important one and that is Grimsby Town this weekend.”

Colchester under-23s are in action this afternoon at Charlton Athletic.

Wayne Brown’s youngsters take on the Addicks in the Professional Development League Two at Sparrows Lane, kick-off 1.30pm.