Matt Jay has struggled for Colchester United game time

The 27-year-old attacker was omitted from the U's matchday 18 for their EFL Trophy clash with Peterborough United on Tuesday night, with a number of academy players preferred on the bench.

Jay is yet to feature for Colchester since Etherington took charge, following Ben Garner's dismissal as head coach last month.

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The former Exeter City favourite's last competitive action was as a late substitute in the U's 2-1 win at Cambridge United in the EFL Trophy, on October 17.

Jay has appeared only five times for Colchester so far this season, all but once as a substitute but head coach Etherington says the League Two promotion winner still has a part to play. 

Etherington said: "I wanted to give the youngsters a chance (against Peterborough).

"Matt Jay will be involved in the coming weeks."

Etherington was pleased with Colchester's performance against Peterborough after making five changes to his starting line-up, as the U's progressed to the EFL Trophy Round of 32.

The U's boss admits the display against his former club has given him plenty to think about, ahead of the U's home clash with Barrow this weekend.

"It's given me food for thought," said Etherington.

"The two up front (Brad Ihionvien and Tom Hopper) are different in the way they play but they're a handful.

"I said to Chay (Cooper) at half-time that he needed to play a little higher up the pitch and a little bit more alongside and running behind Peterborough's high line, in behind Brad and Hops which he did and he was more effective, in the second half.

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"The 21s who came on looked good and looked assured, looked fine, so there were plenty of positives.

"It's obviously not been the start to the season that the players and the fans would have wanted but I genuinely feel that there's some momentum building here.

"I can see it in their eyes and I can see it in their performances, so here's hoping there is.

"I think when you're blooding young players, you need that experience and those seasoned players who are playing week in, week out.

"I looked at this game and with Cambridge beating Tottenham under-21s a couple of weeks back, it was an opportunity for us.

"I don't think you can not try and take these opportunities and get into the next round and that's what we did."