DANNY Cowley is hoping striker Lyle Taylor will be available to make his long-awaited Colchester United debut this week.

The 34-year-old joined the U's on a one-year deal earlier this summer but has not featured in their opening four games of the new season, due to a calf injury.

Taylor was sidelined again for Colchester's 1-0 home defeat to Harrogate Town, last weekend.

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However, the experienced Montserrat international has now returned to training and is set to be included in the U's squad for their Carabao Cup second-round tie against Premier League side Brentford, on Wednesday night.

U's boss Cowley said: "We hope Lyle will be available.

"He trained on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, so we're hopeful that he'll figure this week."

Taylor picked up a low-grade calf tear during pre-season.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

The former Nottingham Forest and Charlton Athletic forward has now resumed grass-based work, as he strives to be available for his new club for the first time.

Taylor is one of 11 new signings Colchester have made so far in this summer's transfer window.

“That was the objective of our transfer window, to try to find those players that are at the peak of their career," added Cowley.

“It's always nice to have a couple of dads and experienced ones and I think we've got that in Tom Flanagan and Lyle Taylor.

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“But then to have enough that are in their peak and we know we've got a brilliant academy, some great young players, the likes of Samson, Bradley, young Milton Oni at the moment.

“If you give them opportunity and really believe in them, they're capable of achieving brilliant things.

“Progress is never linear, not in football.

“If you give them good training and the belief and really back them, you find their development just accelerates and it's definitely been like that for Milton.

“We’re aware he's a young player, for us it's just to keep helping him and keep supporting him on a day to day basis.

“I think we've got a really nice dynamic and good balance to the group."