New signing David Perkins is eager to impress his new Colchester team mates - even if his League One debut has to wait.The 26-year-old will miss the first four games of the new season as he completes a five-match ban handed to him following his red card in Rochdale's play-off semi-final second leg win over Darlington.

"It is always good to get the friendlies out of the way and show what you are about so I am looking forward to them," he told the club's official website.

"It (the ban) will let me settle in. I can't do anything about it so there is no need to worry about it."

It has been a swift rise in recent years for the midfielder having been playing non-league football for Morecambe just 18 months ago before signing for Rochdale in January 2007.

"Things have gone quickly," he added. "I have had a think about stuff and it has been great."

More Football News from TEAMtalk