New Colchester United reserve-team boss Joe Dunne has warned the club's newest professionals they may have to wait patiently for their first-team chance.

Dunne was this week promoted from youth-team coach to boss of the U's Pontin's Holidays Combination League side, where he will nurture the likes of Anthony Wordsworth, Tom Webb and Tom Devaux.

Dunne has high hopes that the trio can follow the likes of Dean Gerken and Jamie Guy in making a successful transition to first-team level.

However, despite all three being involved in the U's pre-season campaign, the popular Colchester coach believes it may be some time before they make a permanent breakthrough.

Dunne told the Gazette: "We want to see them get as much preparation as possible and I don't feel they are quite ready yet.

"They have to learn the game and their development will come over the next year or two. It's important that they keep training hard and they still have an educational role.

"They are technically good players and it's important they look after themselves."