In-form Chris Porter admits it will be a “strange” experience to return to the steel city as a Colchester United player tonight.

But the striker says he would love to score against former club Sheffield United and help boost the U’s survival chances.

Porter joined Colchester last month from the Blades, where he spent three-and-a-half years and made more than 100 league and cup appearances.

But the 31-year-old – who has hit the net twice in his first three games for Colchester – insists his focus is now firmly on keeping his new club in League One.

And Porter says he would like nothing more than to help the U’s claim a vital victory over his former employers, at Bramall Lane.

Porter said: “I’ve signed for Colchester and that’s all I’m bothered about now.

“But I’m looking forward to going back there and trying to get a goal and the three points, against a former club.

“I’ve got a lot of friends at Sheffield United, so it’ll be nice to play against them.

“It’ll be quite strange going back as I spent quite a lot of time there.

“I know everybody, including the backroom staff and people who work at the club.

“There’ll be a lot of friendly faces and it’ll be nice to see them.

“Hopefully I’ll get a nice ovation from the crowd, although you never know being a former player!”

Porter has started three times for Colchester since joining them from Sheffield United on an 18-month contract, in the January transfer window.

The 6ft 1in striker managed only one league appearance for the Blades this season prior to joining the U’s and says he is relishing the chance to play regular football again.

“I’m loving it at Colchester,” said Porter, who scored 23 goals during his time in Sheffield.

“I wasn’t playing at Sheffield and that’s the worst thing for any footballer.

“It’s great to play again – the lads and the management have been great with me.

“At my previous club, I was going into training knowing that I wasn’t going to play but I know that here, if I come in and train well, I have a good chance of playing.

“It’s always good to get off to a good start and hopefully there’ll be many more goals to come.”

For a full preview of the U's game at Sheffield United tonight, see Tuesday's Daily Gazette.