Tom Eastman feels Colchester United’s past experience of fighting relegation can aid them in this season’s battle against the drop.

The centre-back is one of a number of players in the current U’s squad who have had experience of battling to keep the club in League One.

Eastman, along with the likes of Gavin Massey, Sam Walker and Alex Gilbey, have all helped Colchester stay up in each of the last two seasons.

Colchester are currently two points adrift of safety and are facing another fight to remain in the third tier, with six games remaining.

And Eastman, who has now made nearly 150 appearances for the U’s, believes their previous flirtations with relegation can be beneficial to them in the crucial weeks to come.

Eastman said: “It’s difficult to be in the relegation zone and to be fighting to stay up.

“But we’ve done it for the last couple of seasons and a few of the boys are used to it, so it could be an advantage for us.

“It’s a big time in the season with not many games left, so hopefully we can get some more points on the board.”

Eastman is a favourite to be crowned Colchester’s player of the year for the second successive season when the club stage their end of season dinner on May 8.

The 23-year-old has been an ever-present for the U’s in a testing campaign, where he has had a number of different central defensive partners.

Eastman has been a reliable performer throughout the season and the former Ipswich Town defender believes it is important to maintain high standards.

“I’d like to think that I’m a consistent player and that’s what every player needs,” added Eastman, who joined Colchester in May, 2011.

“If you look at someone like John Terry he’s solid all season and that’s what you’ve got to aim for.”

For all of the latest Colchester United news, see the Daily Gazette.