WAYNE Brown insists he is not currently thinking about landing the Colchester United head coach’s role on a permanent basis.

The U’s promotion winner has taken over as the club’s interim first-team coach, following the departure of Steve Ball as head coach on Tuesday night.

Brown has been told by Robbie Cowling that he will be in charge for ‘the next run of games’ and the U’s chairman has stated that he is currently not looking for any other applicants for the role.

However, the former U’s academy coach says his main focus at the moment is securing points and lifting Colchester up the League Two table.

Brown said: "Would I like the job on a more permanent basis? I'm not really worried about that at the moment.

"I'm here to take the next run of games and it'll be other people's decision on whether or not I've earned the right and maybe been rewarded with that opportunity.

"But at the moment, I'm grateful for the opportunity I've got now which is a run of the next few games and I'll be doing my utmost to get some points on the board and turn that mentality and confidence around to give us the best chance of doing so.

"It's a great opportunity for myself and it's something I want to meet head on and give my best.”

Brown also had a caretaker spell in the Colchester hot seat in the 2015-16 League One season, working alongside John McGreal following the departure of Tony Humes as boss.

The former Leicester City and Hull City defender presided over three matches while in temporary charge, prior to withdrawing from the race to become permanent boss, leading to Kevin Keen taking over soon after.

Brown admits he was not ready to lead the U’s back then – but brings more experienced into the role, this time around.

"Robbie and the club felt that it would be the right time for me to come on board and put my experience into this environment,” said Brown, who made more than 150 league and cup appearances for Colchester between 2004 and 2007.

"I've gained valuable experience over the last few years and matured a lot.

"I think it was probably a brave decision not to take the position five or six years ago.

"I felt that I wasn't ready but I think it's a lot different now - I've gained a lot of experience, I've tapped into some good people in John (McGreal) and Bally and other managers and I feel the time is right.”

Brown said he felt sympathy for Ball, who departed as Colchester’s head coach earlier this week after seven months in the role.

Brown, who takes charge for the first time at Forest Green Rovers tomorrow, added: "I've known Bally for the last ten years and I think he's done a great job since he's had the position.

"It's just unfortunately, the business we're in is a results business and we've struggled of late to achieve the results that we've wanted.”