Danny Batth is relishing the regular first team football he is enjoying with League One promotion-chasers Colchester United as he reflects on an impressive introduction to life in senior football.

The powerful 19-year-old defender has played in nine games since his loan switch to the Essex Boys in September, of which the U's have lost only one and conceded just five goals.

The season-long move has been designed to help hone Danny's footballing education but at the same time it is proving of benefit to a Colchester side already in the thick of the race for Championship football.

"It's been going well and I've really enjoyed it," says Danny.

"We've had some good results and are now fourth in the table in what is a very tight league with only a one point gap to second.

"I was thrown straight into the team against Hartlepool after a couple of days training which was good.

"The experience is so important because moving up from reserve team football it's a lot more results-based and everything is about getting the three points on a Saturday.

"There's more of a buzz to be involved in a first team set-up and knowing there are points up for grabs every week.

"Being able to keep my place in the team has got me into the routine of first team football and I'm coming up against players that have been there and done it.

"That can only help my development.

"It's good to be at a club pushing hard in the league as well while I managed to get my FA Cup debut at Bromley last weekend when we managed to win 4-0."

It's far from out of touch out of mind when it comes to Wolves and monitoring Danny's progress.

Boss Mick McCarthy is receiving regular reports while Development Coach Steve Weaver has already been to watch the defender on several occasions.

"Steve Weaver has been down to see me in training and has watched a few games," the player adds.

"It's good to know Wolves are keeping track of how I'm doing and I come back to train here on Mondays as well.

"That keeps my links with the place going.

"At the same time I know I'm spending the season with Colchester which gives me something to aim for in terms of trying to help the team get promoted from what is a hard league."

Danny believes he can only benefit from being loaned out for senior football, as well as viewing the work of another experienced managerial pairing - Aidy Boothroyd and former Wolves assistant John Ward - at close quarters.

"It was the right time for me to go out on loan," he says.

"I had a few good games in the reserves at the start of the season which increased my confidence and helped me prepare for first team football.

"The manager is very experienced and has been at a high level and he's very specific in terms of how to play and how we should defend and it's all a good learning process.

"John Ward is number two there so there's another Wolves connection and he's helping me as well.

"It has gone really well so far but I'm not getting carried away.

"It is a case of taking one game at a time, enjoying the experience and seeing where it takes me."