TOMMY Smith says everyone must prove their worth following Colchester United's signing spree.

The U's made ten signings in the January transfer window, increasing the competition for places within the squad.

Experienced defender Smith says the influx of new faces means everyone is driven to improve, under Wayne Brown.

And the Colchester club captain has revealed that the interim boss has made it clear that everyone is playing for their shirt.

Smith told the U's website: “It shows the strength of the squad that we’ve got now.

“There were a lot of really good acquisitions in January and now there’s real competition for places and it shows.

“The gaffer has instilled that into us, that every day on the training pitch you are playing for your shirt.

“That can only be good for the benefit of the group because it drives individuals to get to new levels, get better and constantly improve.

“The gaffer has come in and wants that to happen and it’s a clean slate for everyone.

“Everyone’s got to prove their worth and no-one is just a given to be in the team.

“You’ve got to earn your stripes and put in the performances in those games, to retain your shirt.

Gazette:

“The new signings have settled in really well.

“A few of the lads knew a lot of the players anyway so it makes it easier to settle in straight away.

“They’re all good lads; we had a good group anyway and the lads that we’ve brought in, they (the club) have obviously done their due diligence on their character because they’ve settled in nicely.

“Hopefully they can all have an impact, between now and the end of the season."

Smith is preparing for Colchester's vital clash with Carlisle United, this weekend.

It is an important game for both sides, who are looking to pull away from the League Two relegation zone.

Colchester lie five points above the bottom two and three points above their opponents, heading into the clash at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Gazette:

The U's are looking to bounce back, following their 2-1 defeat at Mansfield Town, on Tuesday night.

“It’s vital we win our home games, especially this weekend against Carlisle," added Smith, who has started Colchester's last two matches.

“It’s a game that we really want to get three points out of and stamp our authority on the game from the first whistle.

“We’re putting a plan into place to do that.

“We need to take the positives from Tuesday (against Mansfield).

“We felt that we didn’t start the game particularly well.

“In the first half, we weren’t up to the standards we set ourselves in the previous four games.

“But in the second half, we really responded and could and perhaps should have got a point out of the game."