COLCHESTER United have received a big boost after top scorer Lyle Taylor declared himself available for their key clash with Bradford City.

Taylor had been expected to miss the U’s home game with the Bantams in League Two on Saturday due to international duty with Montserrat, who have CONCACAF Nations League group games against St Vincent and the Grenadines tonight and El Salvador, next Monday.

However, the 34-year-old striker, who was an unused substitute for Colchester’s Bristol Street Motors Trophy win over Arsenal under-21s on Tuesday night, has decided to remain at the U’s as they bid to secure a win to move away from the relegation zone.

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Colchester head coach Danny Cowley said: “Lyle decided to stay which was his decision and we are very pleased that he did.

“It shows his commitment to us and to the club.

“It was a big decision for him because he loves playing for Montserrat but he knows the team are in a tough moment and he made his decision last week to stay and we’re pleased that he did.

“Lyle’s a strong boy and he’s never far away from the goal.

“You know that when he gets a chance, he scores.

“We’ve got to keep trying to work with the team to try to create more chances, because that will definitely help.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

“That’s what he’s done all through his career.”

Cowley was happy to give some of Colchester’s young players game time, against Arsenal under-21s.

Oscar Thorn provided the assist for Tom Hopper’s opener, while Hakeem Sandah, Ollie Godziemski and Rash Drysdale all came on as second-half substitutes for the U’s, in the 3-0 win.

“It was good to get through to the next round and get a home draw,” said Cowley.

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“It’s a competition that we want to do well in and it’s not easy, because there are obviously some very good clubs in it.

“Last year, the club lost 5-0 to Spurs under-21s so for us to go and win 3-0 against Arsenal under-21s is a real positive.

“It was great for the young players to come in.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

“I thought Oscar did well again for the first goal, young Haks, Ollie and Rash all came onto the pitch.

“It was our academy players against some of their (Arsenal’s) academy players and I thought they stood up to the test really well.

“Ollie and Rash made their senior debuts for us and no-one can ever take that away from them.

“It now gives them a little taste and now they have to go away and keep working and keep developing their game to find the consistency to be able to make it a regular occurrence.”