COLCHESTER United striker Samson Tovide has vowed to learn from his experiences this season - and come back even better.

The 20-year-old has experienced a mixed campaign, having clocked up 26 appearances and scored five goals, despite spending more than three months on the sidelines due to an ankle injury.

Tovide also received two red cards which led to him being suspended for the final four games of the U’s vital run-in.

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The young striker apologised after his dismissal in the closing stages of the U’s win at Crawley Town in March and says he will learn from his experiences, this season.

Tovide said: “It was frustrating not to be out there, for the final few games.

“I take a lot of learning from the season.

“Obviously my injury didn’t help and then I came back and got suspended.

“I see it as a learning for me and I’ve learned to keep my emotions in check and not play the occasion.

Gazette: Samson Tovide

“I played over 20 games, this season and scored five goals but next season, I want to kick on and get better.

“I’m 20 and I’m still learning.

“Hopefully next season, I can start the season how I started this one and kick on from there.”

Tovide made five substitute appearances for Colchester under Danny and Nicky Cowley in the latter weeks of the season, following his return from injury.

The talented forward is looking forward to having a full campaign under the U’s management duo, in the 2024-25 season.

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“This season has been up and down,” said Tovide, who made his senior Colchester debut in November, 2020.

“But the management team have been brilliant since they came in.

“For me personally, I always felt we were going to be safe.

“I know how good this team is and how good the managers and the people upstairs are.

“I know what Danny and Nicky want to do and they want to be successful so there’s lots to look forward to.”

Gazette:

Tovide watched on from the sidelines as Colchester clinched their League Two status, last weekend.

The U’s drew 1-1 with play-off bound Crewe Alexandra at the JobServe Community Stadium to seal their EFL place for next season.

Tovide added: “We knew coming into it what we had to do.

“I knew the boys would get the job done and it was never in doubt, to be honest.

“Crewe were coming to our place, our ground.

“Crewe are a good team who are in the play-offs and I think both teams probably got what they needed from the game.”