COLCHESTER United attacker Sammie Szmodics has eased fears about his fitness ahead of their FA Cup clash with Accrington Stanley, this weekend.

Szmodics, who missed two games last month because of a leg injury, scored the winner against Swindon Town before being taken off late on in the 1-0 victory, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Colchester boss John McGreal said Szmodics had been suffered from a ‘little tightness’ in his hamstring, after he was replaced by Mikael Mandron.

But the talented 23-year-old has revealed he was suffering from cramp, after playing his part in helping the U’s claim another valuable three points in League Two.

Szmodics said: “I actually suffered with a bit of cramp, which I don’t really think I’ve ever had.

“I don’t know if that’s from the workload or the amount I’ve run.

“But it was only a bit of cramp so I’ll recover well and get ready to go again.”

Colchester have now turned their focus to an FA Cup meeting with Accrington, this weekend.

The U’s will head into the first-round tie at the Crown Ground as underdogs against a Stanley side who currently lie in the play-off positions, in League One.

“We’ve got a couple of weeks off the league now, so we can focus on the FA Cup and the Checkatrade Trophy and we’ll come back in two weeks’ time and go again,” said Szmodics, who has scored six goals so far for Colchester, this season.

“We could have had an easier draw in the FA Cup.

“But with the form we’re in, the way we’re playing, the goals we’re scoring and the fact that we’re not conceding goals, bring it on.”

Meanwhile, Szmodics believes Colchester’s fine home can help them win promotion – providing they keep picking up points on their travels.

The U’s have been in excellent form at the JobServe Community Stadium this season and currently boast the best home record in League Two.

Former Stanway School pupil Szmodics added: “We’ve won seven out of our last nine home games and that’s something we’ve got to keep up.

“We’ve got to keep that run going and make this place a fortress.

“If we keep picking up points away from home and winning at home, we’ll get promoted.”