Sammie Szmodics: Colchester United boss John McGreal praises striker's maturity

Sammie Szmodics has five goals in his past six games, helping Colchester up to eighth

Colchester United boss John McGreal says top scorer Sammie Szmodics has matured as a player this season.

The 22-year-old scored his ninth League Two goal this term on Friday, having taken 62 matches and four seasons to claim his first nine for the club.

"When he's in form, Sam, he goes on these types of runs - goals," McGreal told BBC Essex.

"He's been out for that amount of time and he's craving games. That's the good thing about the team at the minute."

Szmodics, who has scored 10 times in all competitions this term, has had gametime limited in recent campaigns because of ankle surgery and breaking his leg.

"Now he looks a lot more mature, he's really looking after himself, he's doing a lot of gym work," said McGreal.

"In the early part of the season he was getting opportunities and not taking them."