GERAINT Williams says he is delighted to see his former club Colchester United give Cameron Coxe an opportunity.

Williams, who led the U's to their highest-ever finish in the 2006-07 season when they secured a historic tenth spot in the Championship, coached Coxe when he was in charge of Wales' under-19 and under-17 teams.

Coxe, 22, is looking to impress for Colchester after signing for them on a six-month loan from National League side Solihull Moors, last month.

And Williams, who managed the U's between 2006 and 2008, is hoping the young right-back will take his opportunity at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Williams said: “Cameron is a lovely lad.

“He’s a forward-thinking full-back who likes to attack.

“He’s a good athlete with a good physical build to do that job up and down, which he did very well for me.

“I liked him as I did a lot of boys at Cardiff but he didn’t seem to go on and get into the first team there, which I found a bit disappointing.

“But everyone’s got an opinion and I’m delighted that he’s got another chance in the league and hopefully, he’ll take it.

“The first thing he’s got to do is work hard and try and impress a few people.

“He’s got to impress the manager and get him to see him as a first-team player, looking at putting him in for the first game of the season.

“That’s what he’s got to do, from the minute he hits the ground."

Gazette:

Coxe, who has also played for Wales at under-21 and under-20 level, joined Cardiff's academy at the age of seven and penned professional terms with them in 2017.

He made four senior appearances for the Bluebirds but was released in the summer of 2020.

“It can be hard to break into the first team at big clubs like Cardiff City," added Williams, who made 13 international appearances for Wales during his playing career.

“To be fair, Cardiff have over the last few years had managers who like to play with men.

“Mick (McCarthy) has just given the young lad Mark Harris up front a go.

“But before that, Neil Warnock I think wasn’t really one for putting kids in, so some of the young lads there have found it difficult to break into the first team.

“He’s got to take this opportunity with both hands now hopefully and realise how lucky he is to have another go at it.

“If you look at players in League One or League Two, if they make a loan move it’s usually down to that sort of level.

“He’s gone there and obviously done well and that’s what’s given him another opportunity."