Steve Whitton is pinning his faith in young Arsenal loan striker Graham Barrett to shoot Colchester United up the Second Division table.

The promising Republic of Ireland Under-21 international and Gunners former FA Youth Cup winning captain made his U's debut as a second-half substitute in the 2-1 win over Peterborough on Saturday.

And a delighted Whitton, who had snapped up the Highbury babe only 24 hours earlier, was glowing in his praise for the 20-year-old Dubliner.

Whitton said: "I thought the boy was exceptional when he came on. Even Micky Stockwell, one of the most experienced players in our side, remarked how good it was to play with a young player with so much quality.

"He's quick about the pitch and he knows the game and one of the nice things about Saturday was the fact that Liam Brady phoned me after the match to find out how Graham had played.

"He's initally with us for a month, but if he does well I've got the option of taking him on a long-term loan."

Whitton was also full of praise for match-winner Alan White, whose decisive 70th minute header was his first ever goal for the club.

The U's boss said: "It was a great moment for Alan.

"He's been in and out of the side this season and has had his problems, but he just gets on with his game, whether in training or matches, and he played superbly defensively on Saturday too."

Top scorer Scott McGleish netted the U's first goal only 30 seconds after central defender Andy Edwards had headed Peterborough into a seventh-minute lead.

Whitton was naturally delighted by the way his team hit back to take all three points.

He said: "I always thought we would go on to win the match after getting back on level terms so quickly.

"We looked a bit ring rusty early on, but it was great to get another three points on the board."

Meanwhile, with Joe Dunne, David Gregory (both knee ops) and Gavin Johnson (torn groin) likely to be out for some time, Whitton also confirmed that there is no turning back on the decision not to sign Luton striker Liam George.

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Published Monday December 17, 2001