Forgotten man Ben Gordon insists he is ready to step into the breach and return to Colchester United’s starting line-up.

The left-back has been out of favour over recent months and has not started for Tony Humes’ side since the start of February.

But Gordon says he is hoping to come in from the cold at Port Vale on Good Friday, with Matt Briggs ruled out through suspension.

Gordon said: “It would be nice to be back but that’s up to the gaffer.

“Everyone at the club knows that there are only a few games left now and whatever your own situation is, you might be needed.

“Every player knows that they might have to play their part in keeping Colchester up and we’ll all be giving our all to do that.”

Gordon has not started for Colchester since their 4-1 defeat at Sheffield United, on February 10.

The 24-year-old admits it has been a difficult campaign, with his first-team chances at the U’s limited.

“I’ve not been involved for a few weeks now and it’s been frustrating,” said Gordon, who joined Colchester from Ross County last July.

“It’s been an up and down season for me, to be honest.

“I’ve spoken to the gaffer a few times about the situation but I’m not going to go into that.

“I’ve always tried to stay as professional as possible - that’s always been the case.

“Every day I go into training, I always try and impress to try and get back in the team and I’ll never stop doing that.

“I got back into the team at Yeovil last December and had two or three games in the team after that.

“But then I got injured at Crawley and since then, I’ve not had a run in the team.

“The gaffer has brought different players in on loan and I knew that when a player came in from the Championship, he would play.

“I’m not sure how many more games I’ll be involved in, this season.

“It’s been a bit of a strange season for me, with the manager who signed me going early in the season.

“Joe (Dunne) had watched me for a long time and was aware of me from my Chelsea days, so he really knew my game.”

For all of the latest Colchester United news, see the Daily Gazette.