BEN Garner has reiterated that Matt Jay has the opportunity to fight his way into Colchester United’s starting line-up.

The 27-year-old attacker currently finds himself out of favour at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Jay, who moved to Colchester from boyhood club Exeter City on a two-and-a-half year deal in January, has managed only three league appearances for Colchester so far this season, all as a substitute.

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The attacker, who made more than 200 appearances for Exeter after progressing through the youth ranks at St James Park, has been omitted from the U's last seven matchday squads for League Two games.

Garner said: “With every player, there’s the opportunity to force your way in.

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“We judge it on performances when people play, performances in training and MJ has been brilliant around the group.

“He’s part of our leadership group, he’s a great character and a really good professional.

“It just hasn’t quite happened for him on the pitch here, as things stand.

“As with any individual here, there’s the opportunity to change that and fight your way into the team.

“But at the moment, as a staff we’re picking based on what we see on a daily basis and making the decisions that we feel are right for each game.”

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Jay has found himself down the reckoning for Colchester so far, this season.

In total, the League Two promotion winner has made 21 league appearances for the U's since his arrival at the turn of the year, but 14 of those have been as a substitute.

Jay’s only start for Colchester this season was in their 5-0 home defeat to Spurs under-21s in their EFL Trophy Group D opener, last month.

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Garner is expecting some selection headaches in the near future, with several players due to return from injury.

Tom Dallison and Owura Edwards are already back in the fray, while Fiacre Kelleher, John Akinde and Nico Lawrence are all set to return soon.

Garner added: “As we get one or two others back, the competition for places will become really fierce.

“I think it’s going to be tough to get into the squad, let alone the XI.

“It’ll give me a few headaches, but that’s what we want.”

Colchester visit League One side Cambridge United in the EFL Trophy tonight, kick-off 7pm.