THEO Robinson admits he would love to be back in Colchester United’s starting line-up.

But the on-loan Southend United striker admits having a winning U’s team comes above any personal gain.

Robinson has had to be content with a place on the bench for Colchester over recent weeks and came on as a late substitute to help them secure a 1-0 win over Salford City, last weekend.

The 30-year-old, whose loan from the Shrimpers is due to end next month, has found it difficult to earn a place in John McGreal’s starting line-up since his late dismissal in the U’s goal-less draw at Crewe Alexandra, on October 22.

Robinson says he would naturally like to be in the side – but is glad to see Colchester performing well after they embarked on a five-match unbeaten run in League Two.

Robinson said: “You want to be playing but the main thing is that the team is winning.

“Whatever I can do to help, I’ll help as best I can.”

Robinson impressed off the bench for Colchester against Salford after coming on as an 81st-minute substitute for Luke Norris.

The former Watford youngster, who has four times for the U’s during his loan spell at the JobServe Community Stadium, says it was an important win after they moved to within a point of the play-off places.

Colchester travel to fellow in-form side Scunthorpe United this weekend and striker Robinson says they are feeling confident.

“Scunthorpe is going to be a tough game but we’re in high spirits and go from there,” said Robinson.

“The league is tight but we’re one point off the play-off positions with a game in hand now, so we’ll just keep going as a team and go from there.”

Robinson was on the pitch when Harry Pell grabbed Colchester’s dramatic 93rd-minute winner against Salford.

It was a big result for the U’s, boosting their on-going promotion push.

Robinson added: “It was good to get the late goal.

“We stuck with it and we obviously deserved it, towards the end.

“The morale is high anyway but that kind of goal makes it even better.

“We were breaking them down but we weren’t getting through as much as we’d have liked.

“They were sitting off and we were creating loads of press in the box.

“In the end, we got a cross in and got a goal from it.”