COLCHESTER United head coach John McGreal praised rising star Diaz Wright after the youngster shone on his full League debut at Tranmere Rovers.

The midfielder, who progressed through the youth ranks, produced an eye-catching performance at Prenton Park on Saturday.

The former Braintree Town loanee had made his League bow as a substitute in the previous week’s victory at Cheltenham Town and was also in from the start for last Tuesday’s Checkatrade Trophy defeat against Southampton’s under-21s.

McGreal decided the 20-year-old deserved to keep his place and felt he grabbed the opportunity with both hands, on The Wirral.

“Diaz needs that guidance to want to go and get the ball – he still needs a voice to encourage him to go and do that,” said the U’s boss.

“I thought he was absolutely terrific.

“We’ve known him for a long time and we know about his qualities.

“It’s taken him a little bit longer to come in because of the way Tom Lapslie and Brandon Comley have performed.

“We said in midweek that this was his opportunity.

“He didn’t play as well as we’d have liked (against Southampton under-21s) but I’m not blinded by one performance.

“I know what the boy’s about – we’ve worked in training and he knows his role.”

Colchester came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw at Tranmere.

James Norwood put the hosts ahead – his seventh goal in as many matches - just before the break before Harry Pell equalised on the hour-mark, after Rovers keeper Scott Davies punched out Brennan Dickenson’s corner.

“It’s been good to get the rewards from the positions we’ve been getting into,” said McGreal.

“We’ve got (dead ball) specialists in the team with Luke Norris and the likes of Aaron Collins, so we’re a threat on set pieces as we’re a good, strong physical team.

“We’ve been putting in a lot of hard work on the training pitch and at the minute, the boys are getting the rewards.”

Saturday’s result continued Colchester’s highly-encouraging start to the season, having won three, drawn three and lost only one of their opening seven League Two matches.

They sit fifth in the table with their next fixture being next weekend’s home date with Cambridge United, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

McGreal is delighted to be doing so well in such a highly-competitive division.

“You’re going to get beaten in this league – you look at the league table and there’s only a couple of teams who haven’t lost,” he said.

“That will go and there won’t be any team in this league that doesn’t go unbeaten.”