Former West Ham winger Jayden Fevrier ready for reunion

So the prospect of facing his former club’s under-21 side tonight in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy is understandably an intriguing prospect for the Colchester United winger.

“I have a lot of fond memories of being in West Ham’s academy,” said Fevrier, who joined Colchester in December, 2022 following his release by the Hammers.

“I was there for ten-plus years and I made friends for life and had some great experiences and some not so good ones with injuries as well.

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“I’m glad now I’m in a professional environment playing first-team football.

“There are still a few staff members there who helped me when I was there.

“To name a few, I would say Kevin Keen, Gerard Prenderville, Lauris Coggin – they helped me with my career.

“In any field, where you’re used to be somewhere for so long, it’s kind of hard to adapt but I feel like everyone at Colchester as a club, the players and the staff, have made it easy and comfortable for me.”

Fevrier is itching to get back out on the pitch having missed Colchester’s 3-1 defeat at Doncaster Rovers, due to suspension.

The 20-year-old was sent off for the first time in his professional career after receiving two yellow cards in the U’s previous match against Barrow and says he can learn from the experience.

“I’ve played a lot of minutes recently and it’s a well-deserved rest, even though the red card wasn’t warranted,” said Fevrier, who in September signed a new deal with Colchester keeping him at the club until at least the summer of 2025.

“I feel refreshed and ready to go again.

“It’s been frustrating not being able to play and watching from the side so I’m just excited to be available again.

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“The first yellow card was really avoidable, when I blocked a free-kick and if I don’t do that, then I don’t get the second one.

“It was my first-ever red card, so it was experience for me on what to do and what not to do.

“Emotions were really high in the Barrow game and it could have been anyone who got sent off.

“Unfortunately, it was me but it’s something to learn from.”

Fevrier, who has made 22 appearances for the U’s so far this season, has established himself as one of League Two’s leading wingers.

He has caught the eye with his exciting performances for Colchester and says he relishes getting fans off their seats.

Fevrier said: “I said when I signed my new deal that I like to create, make chances and score goals.

“I like to take responsibility for the team and get on the ball and create stuff.

“I’m really enjoying my football; I call myself an exciting player and people get excited when I get on the ball.

“I love to get on the ball and make things happen and try and get goals and assists for the team and points on the ball.”

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The flipside for Fevrier of late has been the extra attention he has received from opposition defences looking to combat his threat.

He said: “It’s something I’ve spoken to Matty (Etherington) about, because I’m getting double and triple teamed a couple of times in a game, so it’s about how I can use my team-mates to create chances for myself.

“It’s something that a lot of top players go through, so it’s good that I’m receiving that early in my career and I can learn from it.”

Fevrier is hoping to help Colchester end a run of three successive defeats with victory over his former club tonight.

A win would set the U’s up nicely for their important home league clash with Crawley Town, this weekend.

Fevrier added: “It’s never an easy game, no matter who you play.

“We’ll just go into game trying to win, no matter the opposition.

“I feel like we have a real chance to go far in this competition and hopefully win it.

“The focus of the team is to try and get through to the next round.

“I think a win would give the team a lot of confidence, going into the Crawley game.

“I feel like off the back of a win, the whole team morale is better and that helps us perform better, so hopefully we can win and take it forward into the league against Crawley, on Saturday.”