Colchester United’s young starlet Tom Bender has a big future ahead of him.

That’s the view of U’s reserve team manager Richard Hall, ahead of Bender’s latest appearance for Wales under-21s tonight.

Eighteen-year-old Bender is hoping to start for the Welsh in their under-21 international friendly with Northern Ireland, at Wrexham.

The versatile defender is highly thought of at Colchester.

And former Southampton centre-back Hall believes Bender has a productive career ahead of him, if he continues his encouraging progress.

Hall said: “Tom has done very well and he’s really kicked on, over the last couple of months.

“Having played in his position throughout my career, I’ve tried to give him as much help as possible.

“He’s coming along very nicely - he’s looking more aggressive in a controlled way and more of a stalwart.

“He’s still a young lad and it’s easy to forget just how young he is.

“But if he keeps pushing on like he has over the last couple of months and continues to show the same kind of steel and ability in his performances, he has a big future.

“Once you get that opportunity as a young player, you just want to take it and prove that you’re good enough.

“It’s a big year for Tom - he’s hungry to succeed and he wants to learn, which is a great asset.”

For more on this story and all of the latest Colchester United news, see Wednesday's Gazette.