New loan signing Rhys Healey has vowed to repay Tony Humes’ faith in him by firing Colchester United up the League One table.

The 20-year-old striker has signed for the U’s on a three-month loan from Championship club Cardiff City and is keen to make the most of his stint in Essex.

Healey says he turned down other opportunities to leave the Bluebirds on loan, before agreeing to join Colchester last week.

He has 11 games to make an impression with the U’s starting with their basement battle with fellow strugglers Crewe Alexandra, this weekend.

Healey said: “I just want to score goals and help the team achieve better things and move up the table.

“It’s really good being here and I’m really enjoying being part of the squad.

“The manager is a really nice man, the boys are good to be around and it’s a good place to be.

“I think I can learn from the young lads, because some of them have been playing league football for a while now.

“Before I agreed the move, I read up on Colchester and realised that they have a young squad, which is good.

“I’d had quite a few options in terms of loan moves but I’ve been waiting for the right club to go to and I think I’ve found it in Colchester.

“I know that the step up from the under-21s to league football is a big one and it’s up to me to adapt to it and get used to it.”

For more on this story and all of the latest Colchester United news, including Duguid's Diary, see Thursday's Daily Gazette.