BEN Garner says players have staked their claim for a place in his Colchester United starting line-up this weekend following their midweek performance in the EFL Trophy.
The U’s head coach made eight changes to his team for the game at Cambridge United, with only Connor Hall, Jay Mingi and Mandela Egbo remaining from the side that had started last weekend’s heavy defeat at Forest Green Rovers.
Garner is now mulling over both his team selection and formation for the home clash with Harrogate Town on Saturday, having switched to a flat back four for the 2-1 win at the Abbey Stadium.
READ MORE: Chay Cooper hopes to have caught the eye after fine display
And with the likes of Chay Cooper, Gene Kennedy and Will Greenidge all coming into the side and impressing, Colchester boss Garner admits he has some decisions to make.
He said: “I think the players who came in have done themselves the world of good.
“There are shirts up for grabs.
“We’ve got injuries and two suspensions for Saturday.
“Coming into the (Cambridge) game, I was looking at who was going to stake their claim and there are certainly people that have done that.
“But we’ve now got to pick a system and personnel for Saturday that we think suits our game.
“We got some valuable minutes into people.
READ MORE: Ben Garner's assessment of U's EFL Trophy win at Cambridge
“Jay Mingi played his first whole game and had to dig in at the end, with a bit of cramp.
“We got more minutes into Dallo (Tom Dallison) and first minutes into Owura (Edwards), who has such enthusiasm for the game.
“He’s been chomping at the bit and that will do him the world of good.
“I thought Sam (Hornby) had a really comfortable feeling.
“Everything was assured; I know he didn’t have a massive amount of saves but he dealt with crosses and built our attacks well, with good communication.”
Cooper is pushing for his first EFL start for Colchester this weekend, having impressed at Cambridge.
The former Spurs youngster scored one goal and made another for the U’s, after making his first start of the season.
“I thought Chay had a good pre-season and didn’t get too much playing time, at the start of the season,” said Garner.
“He probably got a bit disappointed with that but he’s come back into the fold and he’s done himself the world of good with the performance he put in, not just with the ball because we know he’s got quality but his diligence without the ball and energy and showing really good responsibility for the team.”
READ MORE: Colchester beat Cambridge in the EFL Trophy
Like Cooper, midfielder Kennedy was handed a rare start for Colchester, his first for 18 months.
The former U’s academy player performed competently over the 90 minutes in a role just in front of the back four.
Garner said: “Gene played in a pivotal role, in the team.
“He was brave, he always took the ball.
“He needs to learn and understand the defensive side of the game and he showed a willingness to do that and is getting stronger.
“He’s a player who we hope will progress through and give us headaches and go on to make a lot of appearances, for the first team.”
Colchester also handed a first-ever competitive start to defender Frankie Terry, against Cambridge.
The 19-year-old has been included in the U’s senior squad a number of times but made his first professional appearance for them, in midweek.
Garner added: “It was a really good performance from Frankie.
“He’s a young lad who’s had a couple of loans and experienced men’s football.
“I thought it was a pretty assured performance from him and he showed maturity beyond his years.”
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