Mark Flatts, the former Arsenal and England Youth international, was included in Colchester United's squad for last night's pre-season friendly against Wisbech at Fenland Park.

And there was also due to be a first appearance for Ecuadorian Julio Cesar Guzman, a 20-year-old goalkeeper with Italian origins.

Platts, a 26 year-old midfielder-cum-wingback, made 18 first team appearances for the Gunners - eight as a substitute - during his three-year reign at Highbury starting as a trainee in 1990.

U's boss Mick Wadsworth has handed the diminutive Londoner a chance to relaunch his Football League career following loan spells at Cambridge United, Brighton, Bristol City and Grimsby where he made only a handful of first team appearances.

Guzman, who boasts dual Ecuadorian and Italian nationality, has enjoyed experience in the Ecuadorian Under-20 Copa competition and is currently staying in Witham.

Wadsworth is taking a youngish squad to Wisbech, who are in the Dr Martens League southern section.

The U's will be without French defender Fabrice Richard and Steve Forbes who both collected knocks in Tuesday night's 1-1 draw at Dagenham.

Richard had only just returned to action after suffering a thigh strain in the first pre-season friendly at Canvey Island.

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