Tony Humes has challenged defender Ben Gordon to fight to regain his place in Colchester United’s starting line-up.

Gordon is likely to be on the bench for the U’s home game with Chesterfield tomorrow, after losing his place in the team.

The left-back started Colchester’s first 12 games this season but was dropped following their 4-2 defeat at Preston North End, earlier this month.

Stand-in skipper Sean Clohessy, who is naturally a right-sided player, has started the U’s last three games in the position.

U’s boss Humes said: “The team is picked on merit and it’s up to Ben to prove to us that he should be back in it.

“Ben played really well when we had four clean sheets out of five, so we can’t knock him in terms of the defensive aspect of his game.

“I just felt that there were elements against Preston where we got caught out on the left.

“We conceded a few goals from that side and I was looking to make it a little bit stronger.”

Clohessy is playing out of position at left-back but Humes says he has no qualms playing the former Southend United player there.

“Sean has got enough experience about him to play left-back,” said the Colchester manager.

“I just feel he gives us a little bit more security there, at this moment in time.”

For all of the latest Colchester United news, see the Daily Gazette.