Colchester striker Taylor seeking wins and cancer awareness

Lyle Taylor had two attempts before achieving the shade of pink he wanted

Striker Lyle Taylor is hoping Colchester United can produce eye-catching displays to match his hair after starting the month with an encouraging draw at Port Vale.

Taylor, who has scored three goals in six games since joining the U's over the summer, has dyed his hair pink for October in the hope of boosting cancer awareness.

Colchester are 15th in the League Two table ahead of Saturday's home game against Carlisle United.

"We want success and the start of any successful journey is effort - and that is what we will continue to bring to the table in the hope that gains us a lot of points," Taylor told BBC Essex Sport.

Following the postponement of their 12 October game at Fleetwood Town, three of Colchester's league fixtures this month are at home.

Taylor began Tuesday's draw at Port Vale on the bench, with Tom Hopper recalled to the starting line-up.

"We've spoken about having a good squad and the manager has said to us countless times you all have my trust," he said.

"You have to go out there on the training pitch and earn your shirt. When you're given the shirt, it's yours to keep. If you don't keep it, there is somebody waiting in the wings ready to come in.

"That's what Tuesday proved. I came out of the team and Hopps came back in and he was exceptional and his willingness to put himself on the line for this team is unbelievable. If we all work as hard as Hopps does, we will have a successful season."

Taylor dyed his hair on Sunday, but it didn't go to plan in terms of colour and he had to try again prior to the journey north with his team-mates.

The former Nottingham Forest forward said: "A lot of them didn't notice because when we got on the coach on Monday, I had a snood over my head because my hair wasn't dry.

"I had to re-do it Monday morning because it came out pastel pink and I was not impressed. We trained at Derby on the way up to Stoke and after training I took my snood off my head and I had wet pink hair.

"It was a soft release, but it was well received by the boys. They're a great group of boys so I wouldn't expect anything else, so we had a few conversations about why and then I was given an interesting welcome by the Port Vale fans."

Taylor said the fight against cancer was "something close to my heart", with members of his family having previously been diagnosed. It is the fifth time he has dyed his hair to try and grow awareness while also raising money.

He added: "I do understand the economic situation that's going on at the moment so that's why I'm not going to be banging a drum and saying 'gimme your money, gimme your money'. It's about having the conversation. I know it affects so many people."