DANNY Cowley is challenging Owura Edwards to ‘bring the numbers’ as the winger pushes for a Colchester United starting spot.

Edwards came off the bench to score the U’s equaliser in their 1-1 draw with Bromley, last weekend.

The 23-year-old is yet to start a league game for Colchester since his return to the club on a permanent basis a year ago but is pushing for a place in the side for their game at Morecambe tomorrow, after making an impact off the bench.

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Edwards had his injury problems last season but has started the season well and U’s boss Cowley says the former Bristol City youngster has returned from the summer break in good shape.

Cowley said: “When we arrived, it was such a frustrating time for Owura because he’d had a niggling groin injury that he couldn’t just get right.

“He just wasn’t happy with it and he’s such a physical specimen.

“He’s such an athlete and he has so much pace and power and his acceleration is such a key part of his game.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

“When it’s not quite right for those boys who really rely on their physiology and they’re not quite happy, it can really affect them psychologically.

“That’s probably where we found O and we had to work really hard with him at the back end of the season, in the summer and credit to him, because he came back in such a good shape.

“Physiologically, he was in such a better shape and as a consequence, psychologically he was in such a better place.

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“Wow, that boy can be anything.

“He played against Brentford and Premier League players and he was the quickest player on the pitch.

“It’s great that he’s starting to impact and that is his challenge, always to try to bring the numbers, because he brings us so much else in terms of his ability to turn defence into attack, to take the space and get you up the pitch.

“He can do all of those things but of course, the goals and the assists are always what you want from the attacking players and it was great that he was able to contribute, on Saturday.”