DIAZ Wright hopes his loan spell at Braintree Town will benefit both himself and the Iron as they push forward in the quest for Vanarama National League South promotion together.

Wright said his temporary move to Braintree was one that he had been hoping to get for some time as he looked to progress his career at parent club Colchester United.

The 20-year-old midfielder made an impressive Iron debut in the 2-2 draw against Wealdstone last weekend, just a day after completing a loan move from the U’s.

And it is an opportunity that he is eager to make the most of after mainly seeing action in Colchester’s under-23s side.

While he has already had a loan spell at Bostik League side Needham Market this year, Wright knows the Vanarama National League South is a step up and feels it will give him the chance to progress.

First-team chances have been limited at Colchester so far, but the U’s are keen for him to press on at the senior level and both they and Wright himself feel Braintree will give him the extra experience he needs.

Wright said: “I’ve been wanting this loan for a long time.

“Obviously I want to be playing first-team football at Colchester so to come to Braintree and finally be involved in games like we had against Wealdstone was great.

“It’s more real-world football - it’s what I’ve been wanting for a long time.

“I’d be happy to be here until the end of the season.

“When the Braintree move came up, I knew they were near the play-offs and being involved in that is something I want to do.

“I’d love to get a promotion under my belt and hopefully I’ll be able to take that with me.

“These are the games that I want to be enjoying; getting wins and we’ll see where it takes us.”

Wright is hoping to follow the paths of previous recent loanees who have come to Braintree from the U’s, with Sammie Szmodics and George Elokobi both using spells at the Iron to fire up their first-team chances at their parent club.

He added: “Seeing other Colchester players come here and the way it had benefitted them was another reason why it was such a good opportunity.

“Szmods (Sammie Szmodics) came here a couple of seasons ago and he’s been one of the first names on the team sheet for the first-team in the last few years and George (Elokobi) had a great time here as well, so that was another positive of coming to Braintree.”

But while Wright has his sights firmly set on establishing himself as a Colchester regular in years to come, his short-term focus is definitely on helping Braintree secure a place in the National League South play-offs.

“I have been offered a new contract by Colchester, but I haven’t signed it yet,” he said.

“I just want to concentrate on these games (with Braiintree) first.

“That’s why I have come here - I want to prove that I can handle men’s football and be sharp for the first-team squad either if this loan ends before the end of this season or for next season.”