KAYODE Odejayi may remain tight-lipped on his Colchester United future - but the on-loan Nigerian's celebration on Saturday shows how quickly he has settled in at the Essex club.

Stuart Watson

KAYODE Odejayi may remain tight-lipped on his Colchester United future - but the on-loan Nigerian's celebration on Saturday shows how quickly he has settled in at the Essex club.

After heading home the U's 54th minute winner against Leyton Orient, the 27-year-old raced the length of the pitch to revel in front of a strong travelling support of more than 1,000.

Odejayi had scored just six times for Barnsley in the previous two seasons. He has now scored four goals in the last three matches for the U's.

Despite having become a cult hero in Yorkshire with his FA Cup winner against Chelsea two seasons ago, Tykes fans had begun to get on his back towards the end of the last campaign as his goal drought continued.

And if, like team mate Kevin Lisbie, he wants to stay somewhere where he is appreciated then Colchester is surely the place.

“I have come here to play as many games as I can and get as many goals as I can. That hasn't changed. I'm just taking each game as it comes and whatever will be, will be,” said Odejayi, whose three month loan deal runs out in January.

“A lot of people in this game thrive on confidence, especially strikers, and I'm no different.

“I'm feeling pretty good at the moment, but it's not about me, it's about the team.

“I ran to the fans because that's where they were and I had family and friends over there as well.

“They have come to support us and so it's nice to give them something to celebrate.”

U's boss Aidy Boothroyd said: “Sometimes players don't do it at certain clubs and they need to go somewhere else to kick-start their careers again.”

And when asked if he would be looking to extend the loan move, added: “If he (Odejayi) keeps performing like he is then absolutely.”

Odejayi added: “I'm playing with a lot of good players around me. If you look at someone like Platty (Clive Platt), some of the things he does for the team is unbelievable. I can't praise him enough.

“I was disappointed with my headers in the first half, but it was a great result to come away, get three points and a clean sheet.”